Toronto public hearings on electroshock: Testimonies from ECT survivors – Review and content analysis

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Froede, Emmeline | Baldwin, Steve

Affiliations: School of Social Sciences, University of Teesside, UK

Abstract: There is a controversy about whether or not ECT is a “beneficial” treatment. Critics have emphasised the major side effects, such as disturbed memory, impaired comprehension, automatic movements, dazed facial expressions, motor restlessness, confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and headaches. Supporters have argued it is a safe, reliable, effective procedure. Testimonies of eighteen ECT survivors were subjected to document analysis and content analysis, to determine the main themes/effects ECT had on recipients. The main themes identified were: fear, physical symptoms after ECT, consent, memory loss, attitudes towards ECT, degradation/dehumanisation, control, information about treatment. These data suggest that ECT is not a form of healing, but instead the cause of more damage. Alternatives to ECT should be used more frequently, as ECT removes feelings of control. Human rights are often ignored. ECT is invasive and destructive and should be prohibited.

Journal: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 12, no. 3-4, pp. 181-192, 1999