Intensive Electrical Convulsion Therapy in Acute Mania

Abstract

It would seem that the overwhelming success of convulsion therapy in depressive syndromes has retarded recognition of the use of this treatment in states of excitement. Little has been written in this country on E.C.T. in mania, and apart from a report that the condition is refractory and frequently relapses, there is scant guidance on the subject. The object of this paper is to draw attention to the real value of E.C.T. in mania, when given in adequate quantity at the beginning, and followed up by frequent spacing of shocks to prevent relapse. For this purpose, “intensive therapy” is regarded as that which commences with several shocks daily until the excited state is suppressed, and by this method the most maniacal patient can be rapidly and dramatically brought under control.