Health & Fitness
One Side of the Story About ECT
Electroconvulsive Therapy treatments of the past seem barbaric. But so does dental treatment and surgery.
A few days ago, while doing some research on Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), I ran across an extremely negative website. It went on at length about the barbaric treatment which was similar to brainwashing and lobotomy. There were photographs as well as videos of the ECT procedure, as well as insulin coma therapy.
There were interviews with patients who claimed that they lost much of their memory and were worse off than before. All in all, the site did a great job of creating fear and adding to the stigma of ECT and mental illness.
The photos and videos used were quite old, depicting, in not-so-vivid black and white, the way the procedure used to be done. Of course, they appeared somewhat prehistoric compared to the procedures of today. Patients were seen biting down on objects so they wouldn't bite their tongues or break teeth. Patients were restrained due to the violent shaking that could occur. T
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he facilities and equipment appeared ancient, like something out of Young Frankenstein. All of this was done, of course, to prove their point and to tell only one side of the story.
I'm sure I could create such a website to scare you out of having dental work or surgery. Just think of the early attempts at anesthesia, cutting, suturing, the dangers of infection, and the pain.
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Imagine how you would feel about going to the dentist if I show you a clip from The Marathon Man. Or would you like to consider leg amputation after I show you how it was done during The Civil War? Perhaps I could demonstrate the fine art of bloodletting using leeches. I think you see my point.
I had ECT treatments about 14 years ago. There was no pain, no significant aftereffects, almost no memory loss (most of which returned), no brainwashing, no destruction of my personality, no nothing. I slept through the whole thing and woke up in the recovery room.
But I did more than wake up. I stepped out of total darkness and into the light. And the world has been getting brighter and brighter each day. I am forever grateful.