A friend's grandmother is about to undergo electroconvulsive therapy. He is worried about what will happen to his grandmother, so he asks you what side effects can be expected. You should tell your friend that his grandmother will

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is known to cause temporary disorientation and memory problems in some patients. These side effects are common but usually resolve over time. Awareness during the treatment is not an issue because patients are under general anesthesia, and major deficits in functioning or significant speech impairments are not typical side effects of ECT.  ECT has proven quite successful in alleviating the symptoms of serious depression. However, because the biological mechanisms that cause it to be successful are largely unknown, and because of its potential side effects, it is usually reserved for the most severe cases of depression. ECT produces amnesia for the events in the period of time preceding the treatment as well as difficulty forming new memories. Most patients recover from these deficits in the first few weeks after treatment.

A Friend's Grandmother Is About to Undergo Electroconvulsive Therapy