title: Myths and realities of electroconvulsive therapy.
abstract: With its introduction in 1938 electroconvulsive therapy became a powerful form of treatment for depressive illness and the major psychoses. Its use over the years has declined with the development of effective antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs. It still has a place in psychiatric treatment where urgent resolution of symptoms is indicated in certain conditions. The mechanism by which it exerts its therapeutic effect remains unknown.
authors.affiliation: Unit I, Woodbridge Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: O K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Leong
mesh_terms: D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy; D012640:Seizures / Q000628:therapy