Insulin shock treatment, also known as insulin coma therapy (ICT), is a historically significant psychiatric treatment method that emerged in the early 20th century. It involves inducing a state of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels, through the administration of high doses of insulin. This therapeutic approach was primarily used in the treatment of severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
The procedure typically involved injecting a large dose of insulin into the patient, causing blood sugar levels to rapidly decrease. This induced a comatose state, where the patient appeared unconscious, profoundly relaxed, and deeply sedated. The duration of the coma varied depending on the patient and the severity of their condition, but it generally lasted for several hours.
The underlying theory behind insulin shock treatment was that by inducing a coma, the brain's metabolic activity would be altered, potentially leading to improvements in mental health and reducing psychiatric symptoms. However, the exact mechanisms through which insulin coma therapy exerted therapeutic effects remain uncertain.
Over time, insulin shock treatment fell out of favor due to concerns regarding safety, as the procedure carried various risks, including potential brain damage and even death. Additionally, the introduction and widespread use of antipsychotic medications in the 1950s rendered this treatment largely obsolete.
Insulin shock treatment remains an important historical milestone in the development of psychiatric treatments, marking a period where medical professionals explored alternative approaches toward mental health conditions.
