ECT is often viewed as a last-resort option for depressed patients who are incredibly ill and extremely treatment-resistant or whose symptoms include very serious suicidal or psychotic symptoms, or for pregnant women.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is often considered a last resort treatment option for patients experiencing severe depression, especially when conventional therapies have failed and/or the patient exhibits dangerous symptoms such as suicidal ideation or psychosis. It may be used in pregnant women as well.