<qa>  What is ECT used to treat a variety of psychiatric conditions?Electroconvulsive therapy ECT is a method used to treat a variety of psychiatric conditions. An electrical current is distributed throughout the brain Lisanby 2007 inducing seizure activity in a controlled setting using neuromuscular blocking agents Mirzakhani 2012 while the patient is under anesthesia Deiner 2009. ECT is approved by the Food and Drug Administration FDA for the following conditions: unipolar and bipolar depression, manic and mixed states in bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder and catatonia FDA executive summary. ECT is often used after trials of psychotropic medications have failed Kellner 2012. 