New Research Reveals Shocking Truth About Electroconvulsive Therapy's Side Effects
A recent study published in the International Journal of Mental Health has shed light on a concerning reality surrounding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment widely used to combat severe depression. While ECT has been shown to be effective for some, the new research reveals that it may be causing more harm than previously thought.
The treatment, which involves passing electricity through the brain while under general anesthesia, was administered to 747 patients and their relatives in the study. The results showed a staggering array of side effects, including cardiovascular problems, fatigue, emotional blunting, memory loss, relationship issues, difficulty navigating, and even loss of vocabulary.
These findings come as a wake-up call for mental health professionals, who are now being urged to suspend ECT pending further research into its safety and efficacy. The study's author, Prof John Read, described the new evidence as "startling" and warned that ECT would have no chance of securing approval from regulatory bodies if it were introduced today.
One woman, Sue Cunliffe, who was given ECT in 2004 for severe depression, shared her harrowing experience. She reported experiencing slurred speech, shaking hands, impaired balance, and even lost the ability to recognize faces or count money. Her life has been "completely wrecked" as a result of the treatment.
However, not everyone agrees that ECT carries significant risks. Prof Tania Gergel, director of research at Bipolar UK, argued that there is no conclusive evidence to support claims that modern ECT poses major health risks or causes permanent brain damage. She emphasized that it should be viewed as a tool to help manage acute symptoms, rather than a "complete cure."
Others, like Prof George Kirov from Cardiff University, have reported seeing ECT transform the lives of people with severe depression. He noted that 60% of patients experience significant improvements in their symptoms.
Despite its benefits for some, ECT remains a contentious issue. Many critics argue that it is underutilized due to stigma, and that vulnerable populations, such as older women and those who have experienced domestic abuse, are disproportionately affected by the treatment.
In response to these concerns, mental health professionals are being called upon to adopt stronger regulations and ensure that patients receive informed consent before undergoing ECT. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has already established guidelines for its use in acute treatment of severe depression.
As the debate surrounding ECT continues, one thing is clear: more research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of this complex treatment. Until then, patients, families, and healthcare providers must approach ECT with caution and scrutiny.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Mental Health has shed light on a concerning reality surrounding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment widely used to combat severe depression. While ECT has been shown to be effective for some, the new research reveals that it may be causing more harm than previously thought.
The treatment, which involves passing electricity through the brain while under general anesthesia, was administered to 747 patients and their relatives in the study. The results showed a staggering array of side effects, including cardiovascular problems, fatigue, emotional blunting, memory loss, relationship issues, difficulty navigating, and even loss of vocabulary.
These findings come as a wake-up call for mental health professionals, who are now being urged to suspend ECT pending further research into its safety and efficacy. The study's author, Prof John Read, described the new evidence as "startling" and warned that ECT would have no chance of securing approval from regulatory bodies if it were introduced today.
One woman, Sue Cunliffe, who was given ECT in 2004 for severe depression, shared her harrowing experience. She reported experiencing slurred speech, shaking hands, impaired balance, and even lost the ability to recognize faces or count money. Her life has been "completely wrecked" as a result of the treatment.
However, not everyone agrees that ECT carries significant risks. Prof Tania Gergel, director of research at Bipolar UK, argued that there is no conclusive evidence to support claims that modern ECT poses major health risks or causes permanent brain damage. She emphasized that it should be viewed as a tool to help manage acute symptoms, rather than a "complete cure."
Others, like Prof George Kirov from Cardiff University, have reported seeing ECT transform the lives of people with severe depression. He noted that 60% of patients experience significant improvements in their symptoms.
Despite its benefits for some, ECT remains a contentious issue. Many critics argue that it is underutilized due to stigma, and that vulnerable populations, such as older women and those who have experienced domestic abuse, are disproportionately affected by the treatment.
In response to these concerns, mental health professionals are being called upon to adopt stronger regulations and ensure that patients receive informed consent before undergoing ECT. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has already established guidelines for its use in acute treatment of severe depression.
As the debate surrounding ECT continues, one thing is clear: more research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of this complex treatment. Until then, patients, families, and healthcare providers must approach ECT with caution and scrutiny.
it's like, we're talking about people's lives here! 60% of patients experiencing improvements is not enough to justify the risks that come with it 
I've seen so many people struggle with mental health issues and ECT just doesn't seem like a natural solution for everyone. We need more research and transparency around this treatment 
It's also super important that we're prioritizing patient consent and making sure they're fully informed before undergoing the procedure 
Not to mention, it's crazy to think about how vulnerable populations are being disproportionately affected by ECT 
! Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been a topic of debate for ages, but I never thought it would come to this - apparently its more harm than good 
.
. And those side effects? Cardiovascular problems, memory loss... it sounds like a horror movie 
.
. We need more transparency and accountability from mental health professionals before they start pushing this treatment on people.
. And I feel bad for Sue Cunliffe, like her experience is so harrowing 
. More research, yeah... lets get on that 
.
I just saw that new study on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and I'm shocked 
. I had no idea it could cause so many side effects like memory loss and relationship issues. It's crazy to think that something meant to help people is actually causing them more harm. And what really gets me is that some ppl are saying it's not a big deal or that there's no conclusive evidence 
. Like, have you met anyone who's had ECT? They'll tell you the opposite 
. Anyway, I think we need to be super cautious with this treatment until we know more about its risks and benefits. 
just saw this news about e-therapy and i gotta say im kinda worried 
like she had trouble recalling things and was super anxious all the time 
ECT just got a serious reboot 
- we're talking major side effects here! Cardio problems, fatigue, memory loss... it's like the treatment is playing Russian roulette with people's brains 
. The debate's far from over, and until we get some solid answers, I'm sticking to 'proceed with caution' 
. i'm not saying its all bad, but we need to have an open and honest conversation about the risks involved. im not convinced that modern ect is as safe as everyone makes it out to be 
. I mean, 60% of patients experiencing improvements in symptoms sounds amazing, but at what cost? 
We need more research to understand the long-term effects of this treatment on our brains and bodies 
. And let's not forget about vulnerable populations who are already at risk 
. Stronger regulations and informed consent are a must 
. Can't we find safer alternatives for people with severe depression? 
. We need more research to know what's safe and effective 
. We need to look out for vulnerable groups who might get a raw deal 
Not just for ECT itself, but also for how it affects different groups of people. Like, I read that older women are often overlooked for this treatment...