The use of electroconvulsive therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment procedure in psychiatry which has frequently come under considerable critical scrutiny. This paper describes its use mainly in a postgraduate institute of psychiatry and, for comparative purposes, two other types of psychiatric facilities in Toronto. The treatment is given conservatively, varying to hospital, and is prescribed for 11 percent of patients at a postgraduate institute. However, it is used largely for those with depressive disorders as recommended in standard textbooks. Diagnosis and age are the key variables affecting ECT prescription. It is suggested that ECT practice is effective by and large and now efforts should concentrate on making it efficient.