Treatment - Electroconvulsant Therapy (ECT)

		Choice of treatment when the depressed person is: psychotic, the depression is severe or life threatening and there is a need for rapid response, there has been a prior positive response, failure of medication trials or contraindication for use of medication.
		6-12 treatments, 3 times per week; may require maintenance treatments on an ongoing basis at less frequent intervals.
		ECT does not "shock" someone out of a depression, it is not used as a form of punishment.
		ECT is believed to change the neurochemistry of the brain in much the same way antidepressant medication does but the change occurs quicker than with antidepressant medication or psychotherapy.
		ECT effects recent memory generally for events just prior to ECT and memory after treatment begins until course is completed.

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