Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), commonly known as electroshock therapy, has its origins in Italy. It was developed by Italian psychiatrist Ugo Cerletti and his colleague Lucio Bini in the 1930s. They were seeking an alternative to the induced seizures produced by the administration of chemical convulsive agents for treating schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.
Cerletti and Bini first experimented with using electrical currents to induce seizures in pigs and later applied this technique to humans. The initial use of ECT faced significant ethical concerns and controversies due to the lack of understanding of its mechanisms and potential side effects. Over time, advancements in the procedure and a better understanding of its benefits and risks have led to more regulated and targeted use of ECT in modern psychiatric practice.