Electroconvulsive therapy in the Czech Republic 1981-1989]

The authors processed statistical data on the application of electroconvulsive treatment in 1981-1989 in all in-patient psychiatric departments in the Czech Republic. During this period a slight decline of shocked subjects was recorded. Among shocked patients there is a permanent, higher relative ratio of women. Approximately every 18th discharged or deceased patient underwent electroconvulsive treatment. Psychiatric hospital departments use electroconvulsive treatment to a very different extent. Most frequently patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenic psychosis (43%), affective psychosis (36%) and other inorganic psychoses (8%) receive shock therapy.