Principles and Practice of Electroconvulsive Therapy

Even with the rise of newer neuropsychiatric brain stimulation methods,
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains a widely used treatment for severe
mental illness-and perhaps the most effective for serious mental illness.
Optimal treatment requires that psychiatrists be skilled in diagnosis and
familiar with the techniques of treatment.

That's where Principles and
Practice of Electroconvulsive Therapy comes in. With its up-to-date,
comprehensive coverage of all aspects of ECT, this is an unrivaled resource for
psychiatrists, whether in practice or still in training, striving for maximum
treatment efficacy.

The book begins with an overview of what ECT is and
how it is carried out, followed by a brief history of the therapy, from its
earliest applications to its use in modern times. The guide follows the typical
course of treatment, discussing the following: Understanding the indications
for ECT and selecting patients who might benefit from this therapy-whether they
suffer from depression, mania, schizophrenia, or catatonia Educating patients
and their families on ECT and obtaining patient consent Conducting a
pretreatment medical evaluation and understanding the role of anesthesia
Managing an individual ECT treatment, including choosing the electrical stimulus
dose and parameter combination, delivering the electrical stimulus, assisting
with recovery problems, etc. Overseeing the course of treatments, particularly
for practitioners not personally conducting the treatments Managing patients
after a course of treatments and preventing relapse Assessing and managing the
memory side effects of ECT

The final chapter examines other
neuropsychiatric stimulation therapies in relation to ECT and explains how to
choose among them. All chapters conclude with easily referenced key points that
summarize the most salient ideas. Readers seeking to further educate themselves
on ECT will also benefit from the exhaustive reference list.

Though
particularly useful for psychiatrists and psychiatric residents, Principles and
Practice of Electroconvulsive Therapy, with its straightforward style, is a
ready resource for any mental health or medical professionals interested in
ECT.