Electroconvulsive therapy is effective in alleviating symptoms for people with which of the following conditions?

• A. Antisocial personality disorder
• B. Generalized anxiety disorder
• C. Severe major depressive disorder that has not responded to other treatments
• D. Specific phobias

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is — a medical treatment that involves electrically induced seizures to provide relief from certain mental health conditions.
2. Step 2: Review the common conditions for which ECT is considered effective, focusing on severe mood disorders, especially major depressive disorder that is resistant to other treatments.
3. Step 3: Recognize that ECT is not typically used for personality disorders such as antisocial personality disorder, nor is it a standard treatment for anxiety disorders or specific phobias.
4. Step 4: Identify that the primary indication for ECT is severe major depressive disorder, particularly when other treatments like medication and psychotherapy have failed.
5. Step 5: Conclude that among the options given, ECT is most effective for severe major depressive disorder that has not responded to other treatments.