Key result
Content analysis of testimonies from 18 ECT survivors identified themes of fear, physical symptoms, memory loss, and dehumanization, suggesting ECT causes damage and should be prohibited.
Qualitative analysis of ECT survivor testimonies highlights severe negative experiences, including fear, memory loss, and dehumanization, leading authors to argue against its use.
Survivor testimonies flag potential ECT harms; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice or guidelines.
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.
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Froede et al. (1999) studied Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) recipients (n=18). Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was evaluated on Main themes and effects of ECT on recipients. Content analysis of testimonies from 18 ECT survivors identified themes of fear, physical symptoms, memory loss, and dehumanization, suggesting ECT causes damage and should be prohibited.
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