Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which involves the induction of a generalized seizure under controlled conditions for therapeutic reasons, is currently experiencing a renaissance since its introduction in 1938. Despite all the advancements in the development of new psychopharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment methods, ECT remains the most effective form of therapy for certain psychiatric disorders. Modern advancements in anesthesiology and intensive care medicine now allow for the relativization of many medical contraindications for ECT, enabling this treatment method to be offered to a larger number of patients. For the first time, a textbook is being offered for the German-speaking area that provides a comprehensive guide for clinical practice as well as the current state of scientific knowledge regarding the fundamental and therapeutic research of ECT.