Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) - Milestones in its History

2018 marks eighty years since ECT was first used as a treatment in psychiatry. ECT is an emotive subject for service users and practitioners alike with varying opinions of its position in current psychiatric practice. This article explores the origins and developmental milestones of ECT. Commencing with literature relating to the history of ECT and concluding with our own work experiences. Before embarking on the history of ECT, it is beneficial to start with current ECT practice in the UK. We accept that we have not captured all the evidence in this work.