NIMHANS Celebrates 75 Years of Electroconvulsive Therapy

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) recently displayed Electroconvulsive, which is considered to be one of the earliest medical treatments that has shown reasonable effectiveness in treating severe psychiatric illnesses.

The inception of ECT dates back to 1938 when two Italian psychiatrists, Ugo Cerletti and Lucio Bini, used electric current to generate convulsions in patients to treat them. ECT was introduced in India in 1943 at Ranchi European Hospital, and it was first used at the NIMHANS, formerly known as Mysore Government Mental Hospital (MGMH), in November 1947.

Despite its effectiveness, ECT has carried a stigma and endured rejection similar to many aspects of psychiatric illnesses and has often been referred to as ‘shock treatment’ among the general public. However, with advancements and innovations, ECT has completed 85 years of journey worldwide. NIMHANS has also marked 75 years of ECT services with various programs.

In light of this, NIMHANS organized the ‘ECT Exhibition’ at its MHANS Heritage Museum. The Department of Psychiatry initiated this exhibition to address the stigma and misconceptions associated with ECT. The event was inaugurated on March 20, 2024, by Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS, and was funded under the Swachhta Action Plan, Government of India, 2023-24.

According to NIMHANS, the exhibition is not just a display but a comprehensive journey of ECT. It invites visitors to trace the history of ECT since its inception and highlights the innovations made in this regard. 

The exhibition showcases the ECT at NIMHANS and exhibits the international standards and contributions of NIMHANS to the global development of ECT. It also provides a unique opportunity for viewers to empathize and understand the experiences of those who have received ECT, demystifies the ECT procedure, dispels associated myths, and includes factual information.