Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment for some types of severe mental illness that have not responded to other treatments.
An anaesthetic and muscle relaxant are given, and then an electric current is passed across your head. This causes a controlled fit, which typically lasts fewer than 90 seconds.
The anaesthetic means that you are asleep while this happens. The muscle relaxant reduces the movement of the fit.
ECT is given as a course of treatments twice a week, typically for three to eight weeks and is mostly used to treat depression.
Resources
NCMH leaflet: Electroconvulsive therapy