HUNDREDS of patients every year are receiving electric shock therapy at Dunfermline’s Queen Margaret Hospital to tackle their depression.

Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) is an evidence-based treatment used to combat the most severe forms of the illness.

Since 2010 more than 850 people have received the psychiatric procedure at QMH. It involves patients being sedated before having an induced seizure.

However, improvements in psychological and drug treatments means that the often controversial procedure is now used less frequently across hospitals.

NHS Fife general manager Mary Porter said, “There is a greatly increased risk of suicide in cases where severe depression is not improved by psychiatric intervention.

“ECT is considered in cases where a patient’s condition has not been improved by medication or psychological therapies, or where their illness is so severe it is considered life-threatening.

“As with many other forms of treatment, patients are asked to give consent prior to undergoing the procedure. Their doctor will explain their reasons for recommending this form of treatment and lay out the potential pros and cons to undergoing the procedure.

“The vast majority of ECT treatments are carried out on those patients who have agreed to it, although in some instances it can be administered without the patient’s consent if they are unable to do so.

"In such cases, the procedure can only be carried out if authorised by two doctors, in adherence to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.”