What is electroconvulsive therapy primarily used to treat?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is primarily used to treat severely depressed patients, particularly those who have not responded to other forms of treatment such as medication or psychotherapy. ECT is a biomedical intervention that involves the application of electrical currents to the brain, which induces a controlled seizure. This treatment has been shown to be effective for major depressive disorder and can lead to rapid improvement in mood and depressive symptoms, making it a valuable option for individuals experiencing severe depression.

The effectiveness of ECT is particularly notable in cases where patients may present with severe symptoms that put them at risk for self-harm or where their depression is accompanied by psychotic features. By contrast, other therapeutic approaches, such as behavioral or cognitive therapies, may not be as effective for treating acute episodes of severe depression or may take longer to show benefits.