Position Statement on the Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent disorder; the World Health Organization (WHO) expected that MDD will be the second-ranked disease burden in 2020. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the best therapeutic medical procedures used for treats the severe psychiatric disorders such as major depression. Using ECT to treat major depression patients is surrounding with many problems and debates. Through review the opponents and proponents of researchers about this debatable issue; ECT is considered safe and effective as well as eliminating suicide. The purpose of this position statement is to argue and support using ECT for major depressive patients. Based on this review paper, ECT should be encouraged and supported to get all the possible facilities by health care providers and health institutions in order to prevent and decrease the fatal effects of major depressive disorder. Also, health care providers should make a balance between the therapeutic effects and the side effects of ECT and should clarify this to patient as well as his family and provide clear recommendations.

Author(s): Bayan M. Alqam

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