[Is electroshock not a therapy?].

Abstract

Ever since it was introduced, electric convulsion therapy (ECT) has been a subject of reports presenting spectacular successes and alarming side effects. The appearance of psychopharmaceutic therapy made ECT appear completely superfluous and, therefore, dispensable. However, this conclusion proved to be premature: ECT retained its defined justification. We therefore counter Breggin's polemic allegation that "Electric convulsions are no therapy" with our own experience that "Electric convulsions are therapy" and proceed to justify our opinion. After a detailed description of the origins of the criticisms voiced against ECT, its risks and side effects are discussed from the clinical and cerebro-electrical standpoint and compared with the risks and side effects of other forms of psychiatric somatotherapy. Severe and irrepairable damage by ECT can now be avoided and; in fact, has never been observed among our patients. It must also be pointed out that, far from excluding each other, ECT and psycho- or social therapy are often complementary or even mutually necessary.