Actually, the modern process is a LOT better. My aunt had it, and my mom nearly did as well. (They discovered it was a physical problem, thus different treatments) Anyway, yeah. And my roomate in the hospital was having it as well. Really, the niggest thing to worry about with ECT is memory loss. I’m talking like possibly AMNESIA memory loss. But if it keeps you from killing yourself, it’s worth the risk IMO
Just chiming in here to say that it is NOT a ‘horrific and nightmarish experience.’ It WAS, back in the dark ages of psychiatric medicine, sure, but not today it isn’t. Today you get a mild sedative, lay back in a bed, and have a quick burst of current delivered. It is neither painful, nor particularly remembered at all afterwards. The only significant side effect is potential memory loss.
Back when ECT was a “horrific and nightmarish experience” it was still better (kinder and more comfortable) than the other standard “treatments” of the time. Such as submerging the “lunatic” in ice water, in the hope that the severe pain and near-drowning would “reset” the addled mind to normal, or starvation/dehydration therapy, or isolation therapy, or removing one eye so you can destroy part of the brain with an icepick…
The modern method is a LOT gentler and more carefully measured than in the dark days of psychotherapy, where it was closer to torture methods you might see in a movie.
There was a movie about the life of Marquis De Sade… that I apparently can’t find right now, or remember the name of. It offered a pretty disturbing look at how the mentally ill were treated in the past.
….. Woops.
Shock therapy?!
Jeez, I didn’t think they still used that barbaric nonsense…
They call it “ECT” now. Electro-Convulsive Therapy. It’s a more clinical sounding name for a horrific and nightmarish experience.
Actually, the modern process is a LOT better. My aunt had it, and my mom nearly did as well. (They discovered it was a physical problem, thus different treatments) Anyway, yeah. And my roomate in the hospital was having it as well. Really, the niggest thing to worry about with ECT is memory loss. I’m talking like possibly AMNESIA memory loss. But if it keeps you from killing yourself, it’s worth the risk IMO
From what I understand, it is a very good treatment for depression and other severe mental disorders. There was a TED talk by a guy that had it.
And they did it by stuffing a towel in your mouth and sending 5000 volts of electricity running through your body. No thanks.
Just chiming in here to say that it is NOT a ‘horrific and nightmarish experience.’ It WAS, back in the dark ages of psychiatric medicine, sure, but not today it isn’t. Today you get a mild sedative, lay back in a bed, and have a quick burst of current delivered. It is neither painful, nor particularly remembered at all afterwards. The only significant side effect is potential memory loss.
Back when ECT was a “horrific and nightmarish experience” it was still better (kinder and more comfortable) than the other standard “treatments” of the time. Such as submerging the “lunatic” in ice water, in the hope that the severe pain and near-drowning would “reset” the addled mind to normal, or starvation/dehydration therapy, or isolation therapy, or removing one eye so you can destroy part of the brain with an icepick…
Which of they two do you think was practiced in Mexico in the 90s?
“Shock Treatment” is also the sort-of sequel to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
The modern method is a LOT gentler and more carefully measured than in the dark days of psychotherapy, where it was closer to torture methods you might see in a movie.
There was a movie about the life of Marquis De Sade… that I apparently can’t find right now, or remember the name of. It offered a pretty disturbing look at how the mentally ill were treated in the past.
Quills?
Still the same as beating the crap out of someone, except the bruises are not visable.
No, it really is not the same as beating the crap out of someone. Not any more. Although that was another “legitimate therapy” back in the day…