This video plug for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and the beginning of the trailer for the movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (fabulous movie, by the way) seem eerily similar…
This video is no longer available.
The use of ECT is supposedly on the rise again. ECT was first introduced to patients in the early 1940′s. The treatment is pretty simple; send several very quick shocks into the brain of a patient to cause a grand mal seizure. Voltage levels for the shocks are diverse; 70 – 450 volts are recorded throughout the literature, however 100 -250 volts seem to be the most common.
The roots of ECT are a little uncertain- some believe it arose out of the method of electrically shocking pigs to prepare them for slaughter (an unconscious pig was far more manageable). Reflecting on these unconscious pigs, a creepy doctor decided a modified but similar treatment could help him control his more “difficult” patients. Is this true? I’m not sure, but I know the American Psychiatric Association would never admit to a beginning such as that (they would be happier with the explanation that individuals with depression and epilepsy reported reduced depressive symptoms after a seizure). Nonetheless, it was a violent treatment in that day and was overused to treat a variety of “psychiatric disorders.”
In the 1960′s the public grew concerned about the safety of ECT and the treatment pretty much disappeared for the next two decades. In the 1980′s, psychiatrists raised ECT from the grave and gave it a makeover. ECT is now done under anesthetics and with muscle relaxers (back in the day the patient was fully-conscious and would sometimes brake bones during the intense seizure).
So, how does it work? Well, that’s the main problem with ECT. Nobody knows how it works. Seriously, that’s not a typo- nobody knows. Psychiatrists continue to use the therapy by bragging success rates as high as 80%. Problem is, the research is lacking. There is not enough research with decent sample sizes or long-term follow-ups to really confirm alleviation from depressive symptoms and other psychiatric disorders. Considering this lack of research, claiming success rates that high seem reckless and unprofessional.
Amidst reckless and unprofessional claims, the strange truth is that ECT does do something. It might not work for long and it might not be safe, but for about 4 weeks, many patients find ECT alleviates their symptoms. However, we can’t be sure if it’s actually the ECT doing the job (potentially the electrical stimulus alters neurotransmitters and/or hormones in some way) or if the side effects are creating a sort of altered experience for the patient… a la the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind phenomenon (the patient just temporarily floats around in a happy cloud of forgetfulness and bliss). Hence the big caveat for ECT- many patients report cognitive difficulties, retrograde amnesia (meaning they cannot remember events prior to the ECT- this could be for time periods of weeks, months or years) and/or anterograde amnesia (meaning they have difficulty or the inability to hold memories after ECT treatment). Because there is not a strong body of research, it is uncertain whether these side effects last only temporarily or if in varying degrees of severity, they may be permanent.
There are definitely two sides to this story. For many individuals, ECT may seem like the only solution after endless frustrations with psychotherapy and medication. I have a very personal relationship with depression and suicide. It is something that has overwhelmed and influenced my life since my teenage years. I am absolutely obsessed with learning more about the topics of suicide and depression (weird, I know) yet, at the same time I have a deep sense of fear and respect for these life experiences. I realize that I can learn as much as I can about them, but that doesn’t mean I will be immune to them. They are mysterious. They are multi-dimensional. They are crushing and debilitating. When you live amidst these life experiences you realize the complexity of the mind-body-spirit interactions. I do not believe ECT is a total solution to any “psychological disorder”. However, if it saves the life of a suicidal individual and leaves them with just mild cognitive issues later in life, perhaps it’s worth it.
What do you think? Is ECT worth it or is it a barbaric treatment that should be banned?
If you have some extra time, you may want to check out this report written by a paralegal who had to research ECT thoroughly for a case. It’s a pretty amazing paper, but it’s also 42 pages long… maybe just skim it a bit 
Breathe in, Peace out…
Aimee
ECT is pretty crazy. I’ve always thought it was a horrible, barbaric treatment. But, maybe if it saves a life, it’s worth it. I guess it’s up to the patient. But it’s important for people to know it can cause damage. I don’t think docotrs are letting people know all the side effects. If somoeone is aware of the potential effects and then makes a decision to use ECT, why not?
Due to a recent job transition, I have come into contact with quite a few individuals who could potentially benefit from such a therapy. I work with individuals who have suffered cruel effects from depression and other extremely debilitating mental illnesses. I was surprised to hear a psychiatrist bring up ECT treatment for a client in a staffing the other day, but when I took time to think about it, I reconsidered. The thing is, each persons story is unique to the individual and listening to the multi-dimensional depression and years upon years of trying every treatment modality possible, for some it is the only option. Talking about the mind-body-spirit connection, for some the mind and spirit have been suffering for a long time through depression, and if through ECT, the body can get a jump start to healing all three, it could be a viable choice. It is a choice for the individual and I do believe they should make an informed decision, and as scary as it sounds, it is much better than the alternative for people who are at that place in their life.
Thanks for your comments Lea and Jamie. Also, thanks for the field perspective, Jamie. Interesting to think of ECT as a “jumpstart”. That may be a good word for it- perhaps its effects are simply limited to the body and that jump is what someone needs. As long as the professionals are communicating to their patients that there may be permanent cognitive effects.
[...] bookmarks tagged spotless ECT or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? saved by 2 others fieldhockeyislife77 bookmarked on 08/16/08 | [...]
Hi there, I fell lucky that I located this post while browsing for sunshine movie. I am with you on the topic of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? «. Ironically, I was just putting a lot of thought into this last Sunday.
eternal sunshine spotless mind movie…
You might want to come over and check us out at http://www.mindmovies.eu!…
Some people are actually arguing right now about this at the forum!
This might be a topic that we would like to extend on our forum about it, would you like to participate?
I always like to have all the facts before arriving at a decision. ECT is not barbaric or inhumane if performed correctly.
However I recently read a book that sheds light on the investigation of court records medical research and FDA archives demonstrating that the doctors who promote and profit from ECT are not always acting in the best interest of their patient(s)
There is enough medical documentation confirming the long term effects from this treatment; they are not good!
If anyone is considering this treatment or wants to learn why ECT is the cause of serious long term brain damage read the book that recently came out. Initially a patient may have the procedure and return to a normal way of living. The media is now uncovering the brain’s deterioration years later from ECT.
Doctors Of Deception What They Don’t Want You To Know About ECT By Linda Andre (Amazon)