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Depression
Frequently Asked Questions
16. What is electroconvulsive therapy? -
cont'd
If
you have electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), you are first given a
muscle relaxant and put under brief anesthesia. Painless electrical
impulses are then given. Although some patients will only need a
few courses of ECT, others may need follow-up treatments, usually
once a week at first, then gradually decreasing to monthly for up
to one year. Sometimes the doctor may ask you to take medication
along with the ECT treatments to keep the depression from
returning.
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