Myths and realities of electroconvulsive therapy

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.