Electroshock : Restoring the Mind

Electroshock therapy has long suffered from a controversial and bizarre public image, effectively removing it as a treatment option for many patients. In Electroshock , Max Fink, M.D., draws on 45 years of clinical and research experience to argue that ECT is now a safe, painless, and sometimes life-saving treatment for emotional and mental disorders. Dr. Fink traces the development of ECT from its discovery in 1934 followed by widespread use for two decades, to the 1950s when it was largely replaced by the introduction of psychotropic drugs, to its revival in the past twenty years as a viable treatment. He provides actual case studies of patients who have been treated with ECT and illustrates that many disorders—such as depression, mania, catatonia, and schizophrenia—respond well to it. As he explains the whole procedure from preparation to recovery, we see what the patient experiences. Fink also shows how anesthesia and muscle relaxation have refined ECT, minimizing discomfort and reducing risks to a level far lower than those experienced by patients using psychotropic drugs routinely prescribed for the same problems. Clarifying the many misconceptions surrounding ECT, Electroshock is an excellent sourcebook for patients, their families, and mental health professionals. The book contains no figures. Electroshock therapy (ECT) has long suffered from a controversial and bizarre public image, a reputation that has effectively removed it as a treatment option for many patients. In Electroshock, Max Fink, M.D., draws on 45 years of clinical and research experience to argue that ECT is now a safe, effective, painless, and sometimes life-saving treatment for emotional and mental disorders.Dr. Fink discusses the development of ECT from its discovery in 1934, its acceptance and widespread use for two decades until it was largely replaced by the introduction of psychotropic drugs in the 1950s, and its revival in the past twenty years as a viable treatment now that undesirable side-effects have been largely removed. He provides case studies of actual patients and the testimonies of their family members to illuminate successful responses. Many disorders, such as depression, mania, catatonia, and schizophrenia, respond well to ECT. We learn what the patient experiences, as the author explains the whole procedure from preparation to recovery. He also shows how anesthesia and muscle relaxation have refined ECT, minimizing discomfort and reducing its risks to a level far lower than many of the psychotropic drugs routinely prescribed for the same problems. Contents 8 Preface 10 Acknowledgments 14 1. What Is Electroshock? 18 2. The Patient's Experience 21 3. Risks and Contraindications 33 4. Technical Features of the Treatment 42 5. Depressive Mood Disorders 48 6. Manic Mood Disorders 69 7. Thought Disorders 78 8. Movement Disorders 86 9. How Does It Work? 97 10. The Origins of Electroshock Therapy 102 11. Controversy in Electroshock 109 12. Electroshock in the 1990s 122 Appendix 1: Diagnoses in Which ECT Is Considered Effective 128 Appendix 2: Diagnoses in Which ECT Is Considered Ineffective 129 Appendix 3: Sample Consent Form for Electrotherapy 130 Appendix 4: Medicines 132 Notes 134 Bibliography 150 Index 166 A 166 B 166 C 167 D 168 E 169 F 169 G 169 H 169 I 170 K 170 L 170 M 170 N 171 O 172 P 172 Q 172 R 172 S 173 T 173 U 174 V 174 W 174 Electroshock therapy (ECT) has long suffered from a controversial and bizarre public image, a reputation that has effectively removed it as a treatment option for many patients. In Electroshock, Max Fink, M.D., draws on 45 years of clinical and research experience to argue that ECT is now a safe, effective, painless, and sometimes life-saving treatment for emotional and mental disorders. Dr. Fink discusses the development of ECT from its discovery in 1934, its acceptance and widespread use for two decades until it was largely replaced by the introduction of psychotropic drugs in the 1950s, and. In Electroshock, Max Fink, M.D., draws on 45 years of clinical and research experience to argue that ECT is now a safe, effective, painless, and sometimes life-saving treatment for emotional and mental disorders."--Jacket "A sourcebook for patients, their families, caretakers, and mental health professionals, Electroshock clarifies misconceptions about ECT."--Jacket