ECT is a form of brain stimulation where a brief electric current is administered to the brain to induce a controlled seizure while the patient is under general anesthesia.
Because of the side effects, including memory loss and disorientation, ECT is most commonly used in severe cases of depression or in treatment-resistant depression. It can also be used to treat bipolar disorder and symptoms of schizophrenia. Though researchers don’t know exactly how the treatment works, it is thought to spark electrical activity among brain cells and change the chemical balance in areas of the brain which play an important part in mood regulation. Electroconvulsive treatment usually consists of 6-12 sessions.
Read more in this step-by-step guide: All you need to know about electroconvulsive therapy – Liberating modern ECT from old-fashioned stereotypes
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?
TMS is a form of brain stimulation where a magnetic field (about the same strength as in an MRI scan) is used to
