In this fully-revised fourth edition of what has long been the standard textbook for the field, Dr. Richard Abrams once again demonstrates his unique ability to analyze and present a wealth of new(and often technical) material in a lucid, compelling, and highly readable fashion. Hundreds of new clinical studies called from the more than 1500 published since the third edition appeared have been analyzed in depth and incorporated throughout the book.
An important new chapter has been added on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(TMS) therapy, a treatment for depression that is widely-used in Europe and expected to become available soon for clinical use in the United States. Dr. Abrams exposes the scientific flaws in several widely-cited reports, while focusing on the few carefully-controlled studies that provide solid support for the results claimed.
The sections on the electrical stimulus, seizing introduction, seizure quality, and treatment electrode placement have been completely revised and updated with new information on those clinical and technical issues that are presently of greatest concern to practitioners and researchers. A comprehensive critical assessment of the nature of the seizure threshold and the validity of the stimulus titration method for ECT dosing is presented for the first time, with conclusions and recommendations that many will find surprising.
The continued controversy over the relative efficacies of unilateral and bitemporal ECT is revisited in light of the latest dosing strategies and treatment outcomes reported, and of the latest results obtained with bifrontal ECT. The potential clinical and theoretical advantages of the recently-rediscovered technique of ultrabrief pulse therapy are explained in detail. The chapter on the memory and cognitive consequences of ECT has been expanded to focus on the subjective memory effects of treatment, with new analysis of the possible biological basis for the improvement in subjective memory so often reported. Recently-published claims of persistent or permanent memory effects of ECT are refuted in detail.
In full accordance with the American Psychiatric Association's new guidelines for the practice of ECT, Dr. Abrams' book remains the essential practical guide and reference work for all those who prescribe, perform, or assist with ECT, or are interested in learning more about the subject.

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

great technical book:

this is a medical book, providing the informations necessary for the good practice of ECT. there is no room for ideology in this type of text. all a doctor can expect.
Helbert Campos, psychiatrist, Brazil

Very technically written, but informative.:

The book is very informative, but can be quite technical for the non-medical person. Also, with the FDA approval of vagus nerve stimulation for chronic depression, I would recommend a great book about this medical breakthrough procedure: "Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression". It is written by a patient for patients. Apparently this new therapy has none of the side effects of ECT.
Depression is still dismal, so anything that offers hope other than ECT... more info

No anecdotal information should serve as evidence.:

I... that Dr. Abrams is an expert in ECT and his book is well written. However I would argue that the critique on not being "balanced with dissenting voice" has no scientific/logic base.
Our society is so poisened by political demands (correctness) that the scientific truth is often submerged by mass desire. When we evaluate a medical procedure, we must base our argument on scientific data. I have read literature in this field extensively, and I have not yet found any solid research data showed that ECT... more info

ECT from an expert's view:

Electroshock therapy, or ECT as it is called these days, dates to early in the 20th century and has a reputation for being, well, bad for patients. Abrams' book is apparently the definitive textbook for physicians/ psychiatrists/ psychologists looking to learn the techniques and trappings. The third edition was published in 1997 and is still current. Primarily, the text describes the use of ECT in elderly patients with histories of psychosis or depression previously unresponsive to chemical treatment.... more info

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