Key result
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains the most effective treatment for severe depression, requiring psychiatrists to advocate for quality practice and balanced legislation.
This historical review highlights the ongoing efficacy of ECT for severe depression and the need for psychiatric advocacy against restrictive legislation in Australia.
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Supports advocacy for quality ECT amid legislative scrutiny; leaves open prospective data on access barriers.
OBJECTIVE:: This paper reviews the history of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) with an emphasis on the Australian context over the past 30 years. The review includes data collection, the contribution of the RANZCP, and changes in legislation. CONCLUSION:: ECT remains the most effective treatment for severe depression. Since the 1950s efforts have been made to make it more effective, tolerable and acceptable. Over the same period, significant social and political forces have acted to have the practice of ECT restricted or banned. Psychiatrists, through the RANZCP and other bodies, have the responsibility to promote quality ECT practice, advocate for patients, carers, and clinicians, counter inaccurate negative portrayals, and lobby for balanced legislation for ECT and other neurostimulation.
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Patrick Clarke (2018) conducted a review in Severe depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was evaluated. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains the most effective treatment for severe depression, requiring psychiatrists to advocate for quality practice and balanced legislation.
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