The American journal of psychiatry
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Review Historical Article
Electroconvulsive therapy of acute manic episodes: a review of 50 years' experience.
The most common indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is major depression. It is less recognized that ECT is effective also in the treatment of acute mania. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review of the literature on the use of ECT for manic patients. ⋯ ECT is an effective and safe treatment for acute mania. Remission of mania following ECT reflects a primary therapeutic effect rather than a secondary consequence of an ECT-induced organic brain syndrome.