ECT is often seen as an archaic and barbaric treatment, but there is reasonably good evidence to suggest that it is an effective short-term treatment for severe depression. The question isn&#x27;t really whether it works, but whether the benefits are worth the risk of side effects. That is largely a personal decision for a patient to make rather than a matter of public policy.<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nice.org.uk&#x2F;guidance&#x2F;ta59&#x2F;chapter&#x2F;4-Evidence-and-interpretation" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nice.org.uk&#x2F;guidance&#x2F;ta59&#x2F;chapter&#x2F;4-Evidence-and...</a>