The B. E. S. T. in the treatment and control of chronically disturbed mental patients—A preliminary report

Summary

• 1. A method of treating chronically disturbed patients, regardless of age, diagnosis or length of hospitalization, is offered and described, with a title offered, for convenience, B. E. S. T. (Blitz Electric Shock Therapy). It is particularly recommended, and has proved to be remarkably efficacious, in those patients who cannot be controlled by such means as restraint and sedation, and for whom a hopeless prognosis is indicated.

• 2. Gratifying results have been described and the clinical factors have been tabulated for purposes of comparison. Other benefits such as better community relations, economic savings, improved employee morale, etc., are also briefly discussed.

• 3. The complete lack of unfavorable complications is mentioned.

• 4. B. E. S. T. is recommended as an adjuvant in therapy for military neuropsychiatry.

• 5. Convalescent care for these patients, with the administration of B. E. S. T. on an out-patient basis is delineated.

• 6. Sample case histories, with descriptions as written by nurses and attendants, are reported.