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 its unparalleled successes, patients continue to be affected by mostly transient, but sometimes impairing side effects from memory problems and cardiovascular changes associated with ECT treatments. Nausea, headache, muscle aches, and other side effects that have been referenced in the literature and clinical experience will also be discussed in this review. Helpful literature 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.