Depression and other mental related conditions destabilise the normal functioning of the brain. To counter mental disorders, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was developed in 1938 (Kayser et al., 2011). Currently, ECT is the most efficient treatment for patients suffering from mental disorders such as bipolar and acute depression. It is often referred to as “reset button for the brain,” because it works almost immediately even in critical conditions where the patient does not respond to other medications. Anesthesia is applied during ECT because it involves electric stimulation of the brain through the skull (Acharya, Gaur, & Kunigiri, 2018). This paper explains the six targeted goals on ECT patients with severe major depression or bipolar and suicide disorder at Summit Ridge Behavioral Health System.
Practice Learning Site and Mentor
The SummitRidge Hospital, located in Lawrenceville Georgia is an institution that focuses on mental health and especially psychiatric issues and substance abuse treatment. The hospital includes aspects of behavioral health sciences in its overall operations and treatment mechanisims. I opted for this institution due to its focus on mental health and its treatment. I would love to delve more into mental health treatment strategies and especially the use of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). I will bw mentored by the hospital’s lead practitioner as I believe that he has significant experience and training to provide sufficient guidance.
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Goals
1. Observe and learn how the ECT is carried out
With legal authority, I will target to learn the nuts and bolts of the ECT process. I will initially observe how the whole process is carried out, and the physical setting of the apparatus used before and after the patient is put into treatment. I will specifically want to know the number of personnel involved, the specific anesthetic medication used on patients, and the voltage to which the patient is subjected. This process will take about three days to accomplish and document.
2. Relate with ECT patients
I will further aim at relating with the ECT patients before and after the treatment in a bid to evaluate their general opinions on this kind of treatment. With their permission and that of their caretakers’, I will interrogate about thirty patients on the same. The views of the patients are as equally important as those of the doctors. This process is estimated to take two weeks.
3. Observe the efficacy of ECT through the behaviour of the patients before and after the treatment
Furthermore, by observing the behaviours of the patients before and after the treatment, I will aim at drawing an initial conclusion on the efficacy of the ECT, though not scientifically empirical. I will note the common behaviours, if any, of patients suffering from severe depression and bipolar before and after the treatment. This exercise will help in determining whether ECT is always consistent and efficient on all patients suffering from a similar condition. Two weeks may be sufficient for this exercise.
4. Find out the side effects of ECT
Summit Ridge Behavioral Health System will be of great help to me as I try to find out the side effects of ECT treatment. I’ll aim at hearing what the doctors and the patients have to say about this treatment. Additionally, I’ll research on the empirically proven side effects of the ECT’s induction of seizure. This exercise will take about three weeks.
5. Find out whether there is a difference between voluntary and involuntary ECT
I’ll aim at evaluating whether there is a difference between voluntary and involuntary ECT. I’ll examine whether there is any behavioural difference in voluntary and involuntary before and after the ECT treatment. This process will take about a week.
6. Examine whether ECT is ethical from experience at Summit Ridge Behavioral Health System
From the general experience and observations at the Summit Ridge Behavioral Health System, and with the opinions of the doctors and patients, I’ll aim at examining whether ECT is ethical and lawful. This exercise will take about a day.
Conclusion
In conclusion I believe the SummitRidge Hopsital is the best site to explore and learn about mental health and focus on ECT. I further believe that Summit Ridge Behavioral Health System will help in understanding the ECT treatment much better. It will push me into doing more research and also interact with the patients with various mental health problems and substance abuse issues..
References
Acharya , H., Gaur, A., & Kunigiri , G. (2018). Anesthetic and psychiatric implications of accidental awareness under general anesthesia during electroconvulsive therapy. Saudi journal of anesthesia, 12(2), 335.
Kayser, S., Bewernick, B. H., Grubert, C., Hadrysiewicz, B. L., Axmacher, N., & Schlapfer, T. E. (2011). Antidepressant effects, of magnetic seizure therapy and electroconvulsive therapy, in treatment-resistant depression. Journal of psychiatric research, 45(5), 569-576.
