Brief Answer:
Yes it is effective and quite safe

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

ECT - Electro Convulsive Therapy is very well established therapy since long. As technology has developed current machine are also capable of giving exact current what we need in brief pulse.

Primary Indications of ECT are;

Severe Depression with suicidal ideas or attempt

Severe Bipolar disorder particulary manic episode with agitation

Any severe psychiatric disorder in which irritability is excessive or drugs are not effective.

It is given under short General Anaesthesia ,so person is not aware while shock is delivered.
Normally headache, bodyache or fever occurs on the same or next day after ect which is relieved by paracetomal.No other complication noted directly due to ect in my clinical practice though literature suggest many.
If physical condition of the patient is good , there is also no complication regarding anaesthesia.
We usually give ECT on alternate day and continue till improvement becomes stagnant after ECT or person is imroved a lot.Roughly 6-8 ECT required.

Hope I have answered your query,I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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