Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT for short, is a procedure, which is commonly done under anesthesia, that sends small electrical currents into the patient's brain that induces small seizures. This procedure changes the chemistry taking place in a person's head which often reverses the negative side effects of mental illnesses. Although Dr. Charlotte Blease doesn't completely argue against ECT, they state that, "there is no current explanation as to how ECT works and, in no addition, they should know of the controversial, long-standing claim that ECT may work as a placebo" (Blease). Simply speaking, Blease simply believes although the psychology department can find instances where ECT works, they are unable to pinpoint the immediate relief that ECT is providing. In an instance like this, the credibility of ECT can be shaky at best, however, there are instances where this can prove to be effective. Matthew Webber, a father and husband for a wife who periodically would suffer depressive episodes that medication alone did not seem to alleviate. Webber decided to take his wife to ECT treatment and after a few sessions agrees with Dr. Blease and states that the “mechanism by which this happens isn't clearly understood but the results are undeniable" (Webber). Webber and his wife were able to continue to live normal and less-chaotic life with ECT treatment that, as previously said, medication was not able to constantly provide. Although there would be the occasional memory loss, such as forgetting "the way to the local shop," the issue would reverse itself within a day or often earlier (Webber). This can be a rather life changing experience, where one can go from being miserable to a life where depression and manic episodes are lessened. Even though its possible it could be a placebo and can be more harmful than anything given its "placebo nature," its undeniable that a placebo that makes people feel better is more useful than medication that does not alleviate anything. Although this is a single case and the side effects of ECT could have definitely been a lot worse, its important to note that ECT should undeniably be offered or at the very least be an option for patients that would want to partake in such treatment. Consent forms are offered during all forms of surgery/treatments and a patient must sign them, which means that they are aware of the risks that can take place. What are your thoughts on this? Leave comments below and let me know what your stance on ECT is. Sources: Blease, Charlotte Rosalind. “Electroconvulsive Therapy, the Placebo Effect and Informed Consent.” Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 39, no. 3, Apr. 2012, pp. 166–170., doi:10.1136/medethics-2012-100955. Webber, Matthew. “A Patient's Journey: Electroconvulsive Therapy.” BMJ: British Medical Journal, vol. 338, no. 7687, 2009, pp. 169–170. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20511819.
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