It is very known that psychiatric diseases and electroshocks
have been associated for many years. In fact, cultural depictions of asylums
and psychiatric institutions always show us this “stereotypical couple”. People
could think that this brutal technique is past. However, ECT (Electroconvulsive
therapy) is back to treat bipolar disorder.
The purpose for this treatment is stimulating a
patient’s brain through mild electric currents. Results have been successful in
75% of the trials. This led scientists to go beyond and improve this technique
making it less painful and more effective. Recent studies—conducted by experts
from the University of New South Wales, Australia—have demonstrated that
electric currents can improve patients’ life, and even be more effective than
antidepressants.
In contrast to old use of electroshocks, now
these are controlled by the doctor in order to avoid any problem with the
patient. The patient is put under general anesthesia, and then the current is
applied. Experts suggest this treatment is effective if it is applied 3 times a
week, for 3 or 4 weeks.
Perhaps a con that this treatment may have is
side effects. ECT can cause headaches, jaw pain and nausea. Nevertheless, these
could be considered “details” if they compared to the horrible effects that
bipolar disorder carry.
It is impossible to not think of those terrible
old psychiatric hospitals with this therapy, and many people think it is the
same. So, could modern medicine open the doors to an old-school technique?
Could be better to take action in another way, like improving antidepressants?
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