Abstract
Despite the numerous controversies associated with electroconvulsive therapy, in its favor is the relatively low number of contraindications, side effects and high level of safety. Purpose: The purpose of the publication was to collect and organize information on the use of electroconvulsive therapy in psychiatry and its effectiveness in specific disease entities, such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and PTSD. Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar containing information on the use of ECT in psychiatry. The search focused on the words electroconvulsive therapy, ECT, schizophrenia, depression, PTSD, bipolar affective disorder. Priority was given to using recent articles. Results: According to the most reliable sources, electroconvulsive therapy has a beneficial therapeutic effect in patients with depression, PTSD, schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. Conclusions: Due to the commonness of mental illnesses and the co-occurring resistance to pharmacological treatment, modern psychiatry is looking for alternative methods. One of them is electroconvulsive therapy, which has undergone modifications over time and is today considered a method with a high safety profile. Beneficial effects of the use of ECT can be observed in patients with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression, and research on its effectiveness in the case of PTSD is still ongoing. ECT can be used in pregnant women, in patients with treatment-resistant depression and at high risk of suicide.
Published Version
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