Electroconvulsive therapy is still used to treat severe depression.

Despite controversy and concerns regarding its safety, efficacy, and potential side effects, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is still used as a last-resort treatment for severe depression that has not responded to other forms of therapy. It involves inducing controlled seizures through electrical currents applied to the brain while the patient is under general anesthesia. The exact mechanism of action for ECT is not fully understood, but it is believed to alter brain chemistry and neural activity in a way that alleviates depressive symptoms in some individuals.