When to consider electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Objective: To familiarize the reader with the role of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in current psychiatric medicine.

Method: We review clinical indications for ECT, patient selection, contemporary ECT practice, maintenance treatment and ECT in major treatment guidelines.

Results: ECT is underutilized largely due to persisting stigma and lack of knowledge about modern ECT technique.

Conclusion: ECT remains a vital treatment for patients with severe mood disorders, psychotic illness and catatonia.