One of the most controversial and maligned psychological treatments in the modern era is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This is the process of sending electricity to the brain to induce a seizure, with the intended result being relief from extreme psychological disorders. A new book from Kitty Dukakis about her experience with the treatment is getting some press and is sure to stir up some of the old controversey about the procedure.

“How one of the most reviled psychiatric procedures is fast becoming one of its mainstays is an astounding yet untold chapter of American medical history. It is a narrative that begins with an epidemic of mental illness that has stubbornly resisted a cure, and a handful of doctors who have equally stubbornly refused to give up on a remedy that most had banished as barbaric. Researchers still have not filled in the puzzle of how or why ECT provides relief, although the proof is compelling that it does, faster and more surely than drugs or talk therapy. Questions also remain about the price that shock patients pay in memories lost, in rare cases permanently, and whether such risks can be minimized or eliminated entirely.”

The key facts to know is that although the philosophy behind the treatment remains the same as it did in the past, the actual method is much more controlled than is commonly portrayed in media and entertainment industries. Whether it should be administered at all is a question left to anyone interested in the topic, but regardless of your opinion it is worth doing some research to examine the current state of the treatment. This page on PsychCentral is a great place to start.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 20 Sep 2006
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.