This book presents the latest clinical guidelines for psychiatrists who prescribe electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and practitioners who administer it. It clarifies the place of ECT in contemporary practice and reviews the evidence for its efficacy.

 

Recommendations about practical administration will maximise the effectiveness of the treatment and minimise any possible adverse effects.

 

1. The place of ECT in contemporary psychiatric practice - The Consensus Group Affiliated to the Special Committee
2. The use of ECT in depressive illness - Heinrich C. Lamprecht, I. Nicol Ferrier and Alan G. Swann
3. The use of ECT in the treatment of mania - Andrew M. Whitehouse
4. The use of ECT in the treatment of schizophrenia and catatonia - Christopher F. Fear
5. The use of ECT in neuropsychiatric disorders - Michael R. Trimble and Ennapadam S. Krishnamoorthy
6. The use of ECT in people with learning disability - Walter J. Muir
7. Safe ECT practice in people with a physical illness - Susan M. Benbow
8. The use of ECT for older adults - Susan M. Benbow
9. The use of ECT as a continuation or maintenance treatment - Richard Barnes

 

10. Systematic review of psychotropic medication given during a course of ECT for depressive illness: therapeutic and adverse consequences - Andrew M. McIntosh and Stephen M. Lawrie
11. Systematic review. Continuation pharmacotherapy after ECT for depressive illness - Andrew M. McIntosh and Stephen M. Lawrie
12. Psychotropic drug treatment during and after ECT - Allan I. F. Scott

 

13. The ECT suite - Chris P. Freeman and Grace M. Fergusson
14. Anaesthesia for ECT - C. John Bowley and Heather A. C. Walker
15. Prescribing - Allan I. F. Scott
16. Practical administration of ECT - Allan I. F. Scott
17. Monitoring seizure activity - Andrew M. Whitehouse and Allan I. F. Scott
18. Adverse effects of ECT - Susan M. Benbow
19. Training, supervision and professional development - Richard Duffett, Grace M. Fergusson and Martin Stevens

 

20. The law and consent to treatment - Richard Barnes, Jim A. T. Dyer, Roy J. McClelland and Allan I. F. Scott

 

I. How does ECT work? - Ian C. Reid
II. Information for users and carers
III. Out-patient ECT: example protocol and additional information for out-patients
IV. Example of a consent form
V. Incapacitated compliant patients – a suggested template for authorisation
VI. Emergency treatment – a suggested template for authorisation
VII. Nursing guidelines for ECT - Linda Cullen
VIII. An example of a stimulus dosing protocol
IX. An example of a protocol for continuation ECT
X. Suppliers of ECT machines in the UK
XI. Inspection of ECT clinics