PsychEd Shorts 5: Basics of Electroconvulsive Therapy

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers the basics of electroconvulsive therapy. Hosts: Ravi Bhindi (CC3), Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Audio Editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Show Notes: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2) Time Stamps: (0:36) - What is ECT? (2:18) - Indications and efficacy (4:35) - Treatment course (4:32) - Combination treatment (6:33) - Medications to discontinue (8:16) - Contraindications (9:40) - Side effects (11:52) - Procedure (16:03) - Summary Resources: References : Andrade, C., Arumugham, S. S., & Thirthalli, J. (2016). Adverse Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy. The Psychiatric clinics of North America , 39 (3), 513–530. Brakemeier, E. L., Merkl, A., Wilbertz, G., Quante, A., Regen, F., Bührsch, N., van Hall, F., Kischkel, E., Danker-Hopfe, H., Anghelescu, I., Heuser, I., Kathmann, N., & Bajbouj, M. (2014). Cognitive-behavioral therapy as continuation treatment to sustain response after electroconvulsive therapy in depression: a randomized controlled trial. Biological psychiatry , 76 (3), 194–202. Espinoza, R. T., & Kellner, C. H. (2022). Electroconvulsive therapy. New England Journal of Medicine , 386 (7), 667-672. Gill, S., Hussain, S., Purushothaman, S., Sarma, S., Weiss, A., Chamoli, S., ... & Loo, C. K. (2023). Prescribing electroconvulsive therapy for depression: Not as simple as it used to be. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry , 57 (9), 1202-1207. Janjua, A. U., Dhingra, A. L., Greenberg, R., & McDonald, W. M. (2020). The efficacy and safety of concomitant psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). CNS Drugs , 34 (5), 509-520. Jelovac, A., Kolshus, E., & McLoughlin, D. M. (2013). Relapse following successful electroconvulsive therapy for major depression: a meta-analysis. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology , 38 (12), 2467–2474. Kolshus, E., Jelovac, A., & McLoughlin, D. M. (2017). Bitemporal v. high-dose right unilateral electroconvulsive therapy for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychological Medicine , 47 (3), 518-530. Lam, R. W., Kennedy, S. H., Adams, C., Bahji, A., Beaulieu, S., Bhat, V., ... & Milev, R. V. (2024). Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: Réseau canadien pour les traitements de l'humeur et de l'anxiété (CANMAT) 2023: Mise à jour des lignes directrices cliniques pour la prise en charge du trouble dépressif majeur chez les adultes. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry , 69 (9), 641-687. Luchini, F., Medda, P., Mariani, M. G., Mauri, M., Toni, C., & Perugi, G. (2015). Electroconvulsive therapy in catatonic patients: Efficacy and predictors of response. World journal of psychiatry , 5 (2), 182–192. Tess, A. V., & Smetana, G. W. (2009). Medical evaluation of patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy. New England Journal of Medicine , 360 (14), 1437-1444. Zolezzi M. (2016). Medication management during electroconvulsant therapy. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment , 12 , 931–939. For more PsychEd,

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PsychEd Shorts 5: Basics of Electroconvulsive Therapy is an episode from PsychEd: educational psychiatry podcast by PsychEd.

This episode is 00:17:33 long.

This episode was published on Sep 16, 2025.

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