The truth about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) - Helen M. Farrell

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In 1982, a young nurse was suffering from severe, unrelenting depression. She couldn’t work, socialize or concentrate. One controversial treatment changed everything: after two courses of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) her symptoms lifted. So what exactly is electroconvulsive therapy and why is it so stigmatized? Helen M. Farrell details the history and evolution of ECT.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Helen M. Farrell
  • Director Igor Coric
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Senior Animator Igor Coric
  • Animator Nemanja Petrovic
  • Producer Milica Lapcevic
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Fact-Checker Laura Shriver
    • See more creators
ECT, once largely stigmatized, has become a mainstream treatment again for depression and mania. About how many patients in the United States are treated each year with this therapy?
What is the name of a typical muscle relaxant used to make ECT safe by essentially inducing a brief paralysis to the extremities?
What class of medications are approved for patients that have treatment-resistant depression?
In what year was ECT first used as a medical therapy?
What diagnosis is not effectively treated with ECT?
Which is not a potential side effect of ECT?
Scientists know exactly how ECT works.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
For more information on ECT, check out these links:

https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/ECT,-TMS-and-Other-Brain-Stimulation-Therapies

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ect

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/about/pac-20393894

https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/electroconvulsive-therapy#1

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-truth-about-shock-therapy/

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Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Helen M. Farrell
  • Director Igor Coric
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Senior Animator Igor Coric
  • Animator Nemanja Petrovic
  • Producer Milica Lapcevic
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Fact-Checker Laura Shriver
    • See more creators

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