Am J Psychiatry 1977; 134:991-996
Copyright © 1977 by American Psychiatric Association
Myths of "shock therapy"
M Fink
The author discusses the myths of the ECT process--that shock and the
convulsion are essential, memory loss and brain damage are inescapable, and
little is known of the process--and assesses the fallacies in these ideas.
Present views of the ECT process suggest that its mode of action in
depression may best be described as a prolonged form of diencephalic
stimulation, particularly useful to affect the hypothalamic dysfunctions
that characterize depressive illness. The author emphasizes the need for
further study of this treatment modality and for self-regulation by the
profession.
