Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a controversial medical treatment to relieve the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses by introducing a small, carefully controlled amount of electricity into the brain. This electrical stimulation, used with anesthesia and muscle relaxant medications, produces a mild generalized seizure or convulsion. It is most effective in treating severe depression, and is used after other forms of therapy--such as medications or psychotherapy--have not been effective, can't be tolerated, or won't help the patient quickly enough. ECT also helps patients who suffer with most forms of mania (a mood disorder which is associated with grandiose, hyperactive, irrational and destructive behavior), some forms of schizophrenia, and other mental and neurological disorders. ECT is also useful in treating these mental illnesses in older patients for whom a particular medication may be unadvisable.

The most common risks associated with ECT are disturbances in heart rhythm and...