the most common adverse effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ect) is
Electroconvulsive therapy A round of ECT is effective for about 50% of people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, whether it is unipolar or bipolar.[6] Follow-up treatment is still poorly studied, but about half of people who respond relapse within 12 months.[7] Aside from effects in the brain, the general physical risks of ECT are similar to those of brief general anesthesia.[8]:259 Immediately following treatment, the most common adverse effects are confusion and memory loss.[4][9] Among treatments for severely depressed pregnant women ECT is one of the least harmful to the gestating fetus.[10]