Final answer:
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can help stop depression by stimulating the brain with electrical currents, resulting in changes in brain chemistry and neural network activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can help stop depression by stimulating the brain with electrical currents, resulting in changes in brain chemistry and neural network activity. It is typically used when other treatments such as psychotherapy and medication have not been effective or in cases of severe depression.
ECT works by:
- Activating certain nerve cells in the brain to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in regulating mood.
- Modulating the activity of certain brain regions implicated in depression, such as the prefrontal cortex.
Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, ECT has been shown to be highly effective in relieving symptoms of depression in many cases.