Question:
Sorry to ask what may be an elementary question for this list, but
someone recently mentioned to me the concept of "shock therapy." I
gather this is when you say things to someone you're counseling that
are so "shocking" the patient is "shocked" into some kind of higher
awareness. I know _nothing_ of psychology beyond passing psych 101.
Any information appreciated. If the list isn't interested, just ??
email.
Answer:
No, shock therapy consists of delivering a shock to the nervous system
by chemical or electrical means. Prior to the mid-1920's, the drug
metrazol was used for this. Beginning in the mid-20's and ending around
the early 1960's, insulin was used. This consisted of injecting enough
insulin to bring about an insulin coma, and holding the coma for a while
before ending it with a shot of glucose. Electroshock was introduced
in the mid-1930's and slowly replaced insulin shock. This consists of
attaching electrodes to the head and running a few hundred volts for
a fraction of a second. Either DC or AC can be used.
Its used to treat a variety of psychiatric complaints. Treatments
can be just a few (e.g. for short-term depression) or several rounds
over a period of three weeks or so (for institutionalized mental
patients). Nobody knows why it works, but many people seem to
benefit from the technique.
