UK's ECT Treatment Raises Concerns Over New Adverse Effects Found
A recent study published in the International Journal of Mental Health has sparked controversy over the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment for depression that involves passing electricity through the brain to induce seizures. The research, which surveyed 747 ECT patients and 201 relatives and friends, has found that nearly two-thirds of participants experienced emotional blunting, while nearly a quarter reported heart problems such as arrhythmia.
The study's author, Professor John Read, is calling for ECT to be suspended pending further research into its safety and efficacy. He states that the existing evidence is "so flawed and inconclusive" that it would have no chance of gaining approval from regulatory bodies in the UK or US if introduced today.
ECT has been a topic of debate among mental health professionals, with some reporting improvements in symptoms but others citing long-term cognitive damage. Bipolar UK's director of research, Professor Tania Gergel, counters that there is "no evidence to substantiate claims" of major physical risks or permanent brain damage associated with modern ECT.
Despite the controversy, many experts acknowledge ECT's effectiveness in reducing severe depression symptoms and improving quality of life for patients. Clinical psychologist Lucy Johnstone highlights its importance as a treatment option, particularly for those who have tried other therapies without success. "Pills won't help," she notes, "so it quickly gets to the point where what do we try next? That's when ECT gets raised."
However, concerns remain about the lack of awareness surrounding ECT among patients and mental health professionals. A National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) spokesperson has emphasized the importance of informed consent and proper training for clinicians administering the treatment.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: ECT remains a complex and multifaceted treatment that warrants further investigation into its benefits and risks.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Mental Health has sparked controversy over the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment for depression that involves passing electricity through the brain to induce seizures. The research, which surveyed 747 ECT patients and 201 relatives and friends, has found that nearly two-thirds of participants experienced emotional blunting, while nearly a quarter reported heart problems such as arrhythmia.
The study's author, Professor John Read, is calling for ECT to be suspended pending further research into its safety and efficacy. He states that the existing evidence is "so flawed and inconclusive" that it would have no chance of gaining approval from regulatory bodies in the UK or US if introduced today.
ECT has been a topic of debate among mental health professionals, with some reporting improvements in symptoms but others citing long-term cognitive damage. Bipolar UK's director of research, Professor Tania Gergel, counters that there is "no evidence to substantiate claims" of major physical risks or permanent brain damage associated with modern ECT.
Despite the controversy, many experts acknowledge ECT's effectiveness in reducing severe depression symptoms and improving quality of life for patients. Clinical psychologist Lucy Johnstone highlights its importance as a treatment option, particularly for those who have tried other therapies without success. "Pills won't help," she notes, "so it quickly gets to the point where what do we try next? That's when ECT gets raised."
However, concerns remain about the lack of awareness surrounding ECT among patients and mental health professionals. A National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) spokesperson has emphasized the importance of informed consent and proper training for clinicians administering the treatment.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: ECT remains a complex and multifaceted treatment that warrants further investigation into its benefits and risks.
I'm so glad they're looking deeper into this. I've known people who've had ECT, and it's always been super secretive around here. Like, what even is the point of informed consent if you don't get all the facts? 
Those heart problems are crazy – arrhythmia, my cousin's aunt had that from a routine surgery... I mean, I'm not saying ECT causes it, but come on! The lack of awareness among mental health pros is staggering. They need to be like, "Hey, this treatment exists!" And honestly, pills aren't always the answer – I've seen patients who can't even swallow them because they're too anxious... But at the same time, we need more research to figure out what's safe and not. It's a total grey area. 
. First, they're finding all these new adverse effects, but how come nobody noticed 'em before? 
Is there some big pharmaceutical company trying to push their meds instead? 
I'm not saying that's what's happening, but you never know, right? 
... it can really help people get rid of severe depression, but now we're finding out some not-so-great side effects 
... I think the study's author has a point, we need more research before we can say for sure if ECT is safe and effective. 747 patients might seem like a lot, but if nearly two-thirds are experiencing emotional blunting, that's still a pretty big deal 
... and arrhythmia heart problems? That's no joke 
... at the same time, I get why some people are saying ECT has its benefits and can be a lifesaver for those who've tried other treatments without success 
... but what about proper training and informed consent? We need to make sure patients and clinicians know what they're getting into 
... more research is definitely needed, but we gotta approach this with caution too 
I don't know how much more evidence we need before suspending this treatment? 
Two-thirds of patients experienced emotional numbing? That's crazy! 
I feel like ECT should be approached with even more caution and research. 
And arrhythmia is no joke either... I mean, I get that it might be effective for some people, but what about the risks? 
That doesn't mean it's not a risk at all! We need more transparency and awareness around this stuff.
ugh, this study just highlights how outdated our online forums are 
I mean, can't we get more in-depth discussions going on here? 747 patients and 201 relatives is a lot to survey, but it's still not like we can have real-time conversations or share personal anecdotes 
It's always "Professor this" and "expert that"... can't we just have a more casual conversation about ECT? 
. and btw, isn't it wild how some ppl think ept is a magic solution while others are all about the pills? 
. And honestly, I'm kinda surprised that more people aren't talking about this stuff... isn't mental health supposed to be all about awareness and understanding? 
. While it's true that ECT has been shown to be effective in reducing severe depression symptoms, the emergence of new adverse effects such as emotional blunting and heart problems raises important questions about its safety. The fact that nearly two-thirds of participants experienced emotional blunting is a particularly striking finding. It highlights the need for further research into the long-term effects of ECT on mental health outcomes 
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. And what about these 'modern' ECT treatments that are supposed to be so much safer? Are they really? 
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. We need more research into its safety and efficacy, for sure. But at the same time, I've read about ECT helping people who haven't responded to other treatments 
. It's all so confusing... can we just get to the bottom of this? 
. All this fuss about modern ECT being "flawed" and "inconclusive" is just code for "we're not sure what's going on, so let's shut it down". I mean, who needs a treatment that's proven to be effective in reducing severe depression symptoms when you can stick with a bunch of pills that might not even work? And don't even get me started on the lack of awareness surrounding ECT - yeah right, let's just assume everyone knows what they're talking about. Meanwhile, I'm over here thinking that maybe, just maybe, we should be exploring more treatments and not relying so heavily on meds and therapy. But hey, who needs evidence or research when you've got opinions? 
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. If patients don't know what they're getting themselves into, how can we trust ECT as a treatment option? I'm all for exploring new treatments, but we gotta be careful here 
. Let's not forget, there are better options out there 
is it safe? I feel like we're always being told that mental health meds are better but what about ECT? Does anyone know if you can get sick from trying ECT at a school or something?