Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a controversial depression treatment
This controversy is well earned as:
- The electroshock devices used to generate seizures have never been FDA safety tested.
- ECT treatment is not standardized or regulated.
- Consent forms do not fully inform patients of risks before undergoing treatment.
- ECT is still given to many by coercion or force.
- No one who administers ECT is required to understand pathophysiology of repeated exposure to high (bipolar-pulsed) electric fields nor do they have training in Physics to distinguish between ECT settings (pulsed electric fields.)
- In some countries ECT is still given without anesthesia or muscle paralytics.
- ECT is given to vulnerable groups including pregnant women, veterans, the elderly, prison inmates, autistic, and children as young as 13.
- Injured ECT patients are not given proper testing or rehabilitation.
Life After ECT Aims
- Inform public of all ECT risks.
- Help injured patients access necessary resources for testing and rehabilitation.
- Assist patients in submitting their injuries to the FDA.
- Help families impacted by ECT induced brain damage understand what their loved ones symptoms mean and how to be supportive.
- Provide a platform for those injured to be heard.
Audit ECT Campaign
Demand:
- Safety testing, regulation
- Fully informed consent
- Mandate appropriate testing & rehab for all ECT patients
Who we Are
A coalition of concerned:
- ECT survivors
- Psychiatric survivor peers
- Allies from various medical & mental health fields
- Journalists