Side effects of electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy is extremely effective and is the fastest acting antidepressant treatment now available, although not necessarily limited to use with depression. Despite years of experience with this technique and i ts unparalleled successes, patients continue to be affected by mostly trans ient, but sometimes impairing side effects from memory problems and cardiov ascular changes associated with ECT treatments. Nausea, headache, muscle ac hes, and other side effects that have been referenced in the literature and clinical experience will also be discussed in this review. Helpful literat ure with recommendations on minimizing the risks of these side effects and improving the tolerability of the electroconvulsive treatments will also be presented. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.