Introduction: Electroconvulsive therapy is used worldwide as a form of treatment for certain mental disorders. Opinions about the appropriateness of using this therapy are divided into those who prescribe it and those who do not find it humane because it reminds them of a form of violence or even of electrocution. Purpose: I want to present a modern form of electroconvulsive therapy and investigate the factors that influence the choice of such a form of treatment, especially in patients with depression. I want to highlight the advantages, risks, dangers and disadvantages of electroconvulsive therapy. I want to explain the role and activities of nursing in this procedure. Methods of work: A descriptive method of work was used with a systematic review of scientific and professional literature. Literature in Slovene, English, Croatian and German, published between 2000 and 2020, was used. Older literature was used exceptionally on account of its importance. Other exceptions include Hemingway's biography, published in 1968, because of his direct experience with electroconvulsive therapy, and a report from 1996 containing historical facts that could not be found in later sources. Medline, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar and COBIB.SI bibliographic databases were used to search the literature. Freely available full-text articles were included. 45 texts are useful for discussion in the thesis. Results: Electroconvulsive therapy is mostly presented and defined as a technical medical procedure used in the treatment of mental disorders. Modern treatments include anaesthesia and muscle relaxants, which help to reduce side effects. This therapy is a specific form of treatment and is therefore defined in the Mental Health Act. Depression is the indication for electroconvulsive therapy in most cases, and to a lesser extent, other forms of mental disorders are also present. An important role in the treatment is played by a graduate nurse who performs certain nursing activities, and offers psychophysical support and a sense of security to the patient. Discussion and conclusion: I have described the advantages and disadvantages of electroconvulsive therapy and found that the procedure of performing the therapy is demanding, as it requires advanced knowledge from all the professionals involved.
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