Outline and evaluate at least one type of Biological Therapy

Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT) is considered to be an extreme therapy to treat clinical depression. It is only used in cases where patients are severely depressed or even suicidal and for whom medication has proven to be ineffective.

It was developed in the 1950s and it is when electrodes are placed on the centre and non-dominant side of the brain before a general anesthesia is given which is followed by a muscle relaxant so as to prevent any external, unnecessary damage such as bone breakages during the seizure. The patient will then be given oxygen to decrease the risk of asphyxiation which may ultimately lead to brain damage or a fatality. A small electric current is then passed through the aforementioned electrodes for approximately 0.5 seconds to induce a seizure which can reportedly last up to one minute. This treatment is given up to three times a week for as long as is needed.

Abrams (1997) concluded that “after 50 years, we are no closer to knowing why it works”, although most researchers agree that it changes the way in which the brain works somehow – depression makes the brain malfunction and so ECT alters neurotransmitter activity which then aids overall recovery and it has proven to be potentially lifesaving.

Although the end effects have been shown to be somewhat positive, the side effects of memory loss, confusion and occasional bone fractures perhaps are not outweighed by the positive effects of the treatment - furthermore, the DOH Report (1999) showed that 30% of all ECT patients are left with permanent fear and anxiety after the treatment. Even if it could be argued that the positive effects of the treatment make it worthwhile, Sackeim (2001) found that 84% of patients relapse within 6 months and Comer (2002) found that 30-40% of patients show no signs of improvement whatsoever, making the therapy appear relatively inane, or at least very unreliable and short term.

The treatment also raises many ethical issues, one being the validity of patient consent – patients of ECT are classified as mentally unstable, so are they truly in a position to be giving consent for this kind of therapy? The patient’s next of kin may also provide consent, however – this also lacks validity because it should really be the actual patient’s fully conscious decision.

The therapy also suffers from an extreme methodological flaw, as we are unable to determine how and why it works; it is seen negatively because it is unknown whether or not the treatment may cause long term or permanent negative damage, aside from what was found in the DOH Report (1999).

Overall, ECT can be viewed as a good thing if no other treatments such as chemotherapy are effective, as it may prevent a patient from committing suicide – however, due to the brutality of the therapy and its lack of reliability, it is clear to see why it is considered to be the complete last option in therapy choices.