Memory and cognitive effects of ECT: informing and assessing patients Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (2006), vol. 12, 228 238 Harold Robertson & Robin Pryor Abstract: Over the past few years electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has come under increased scrutiny in the UK, with the first systematic review of patients’ experiences and new national guidelines. Our aim in this article is to translate recent and sometimes confusing research and policy statements into practical guidance that benefits patients. We examined the evidence ... (more...)

Added: Jul 31, 2006 11:52 am | 6 Comments |  Email This Post  | Print

2000 document from UBC Department of Psychiatry and the BC Ministry of Health Download PDF File (3.7 mb)

Added: Dec 10, 2007 11:57 am | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

Here are a number of clips from the videotaped deposition of Harold Sackeim (2004). Sackeim was the expert witness for Mecta in a lawsuit in California. You can read most of the deposition here, in PDF format. I'm splitting the videos into two pages to reduce your load. If the page loads slowly, or the videos don't load, try again in thirty minutes...it's likely YouTube is down. Richard Abrams is defensive, says ... (more...)

Added: Aug 3, 2006 12:21 am | 2 Comments |  Email This Post  | Print

The Awakening This clip is an interesting explanation of why psychiatrists have apparently been unaware for 70 years that ECT can and does cause profound memory loss and cognitive damage. The reason? Because until a few years ago, the only persons who complained of severe memory loss also said it didn't help them. It took finding some patients who experienced devastating memory loss who would also proclaim it "saved their life" before Harold Sackeim would listen. Hey, ... (more...)

Added: Aug 3, 2006 12:20 am | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

ECT (ELECTRO CONVULSIVE THERAPY): NEED FOR DEBATE Center for Advocacy in Mental Health A research center of Bapu Trust, Pune, India INTRODUCTION The World Health Report, 2001 of the WHO is the most recent among a line of reports and documents suggesting the tremendous increase in the burden of mental disorders in developing regions. Several researchers (for example Patel, 1999) have underscored the "social determinants model" of mental health, where poor social and economic development is linked with increased ... (more...)

Added: Jul 29, 2006 12:39 am | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

Full report from the UK on the usage of ECT. 2003 Note that the use of ECT in schizophrenia, based on the evidence, is not recommended. Someone might want to send the clue train to New York state hospitals. Download: 59ectfullguidance.pdf (pdf)

Added: Jul 27, 2006 8:31 pm | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

Note: This anti-shock resolution is the official position of Support Coalition International (SCI). The final draft was passed by the Board of Directors on July 28,2001. The Resolution can be found on these websites: www.MindFreedom.org, and www.ect.org RESOLUTION AGAINST ELECTROSHOCK - A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY The Board of Directors of Support Coalition International unanimously and strongly condemns the psychiatric procedure of electroshock ("electroconvulsive therapy","ECT") as a serious human rights violation. It is our informed opinion, based on ... (more...)

Added: Jul 23, 2006 3:10 pm | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

The National Audit of ECT in Scotland: Executive Summary The National Audit of ECT in Scotland was ambitious in its aims, seeking to answer questions about clinical practice, facilities and staffing, training and clinical efficacy. Yet it tried to remain practical by attempting to introduce incremental changes into normal clinical activity. Through involving all the clinical team at ECT (doctors, anaesthetists and nurses) and encouraging local site ownership of results the audit sought to produce improvements in ... (more...)

Added: Jul 23, 2006 10:49 am | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

The SURE - Service User Research Enterprise - report on consumer views in the UK. Download PDF file (1.2 mb) consumerperspectives.pdf

Added: Jul 22, 2006 8:43 pm | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

The Practice of Electroconvulsive Therapy: Recommendations for Treatment, Training and Privileging Second Edition (Completely Revised) A Task Force Report of the American Psychiatric Association Task Force on Electroconvulsive Therapy Richard D. Weiner, M.D., Ph.D., Chair C. Edward Coffey, M.D. Laura J. Fochtmann, M.D. Robert M. Greenberg, M.D. Keith E. Isenberg, M.D. Charles H. Kellner, M.D. Harold Sackeim, Ph.D. Louis Moench, M.D., Assembly Liaison APA Staff: Harold Alan Pincus, M.D. Laurie E. McQueen, M.S.S.W. NOTE: The contributors have worked to ensure that all information in this book concerning drug doses, ... (more...)

Added: Jul 22, 2006 12:44 pm | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

November 2, 1999 Dear Richard Nakamura, PhD and Matt Rudorfer, M.D.: My understanding is that you both met recently with individuals concerned about your stubborn decision to reassure the nation that electroshock has been approved by the U.S. government for "safety and efficacy," despite your having absolutely NO scientific proof or documentation for that claim; your apparent intent is that your reassurance will be sent to millions of people, via a prestigious U.S. Surgeon General's report. Where is ... (more...)

Added: Jul 22, 2006 12:30 pm | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

email: Alexdoherty@btinternet.com 27 January 2002 Richard Norris SAMH GLASGOW Dear Richard SCOTTISH ECT AUDIT We wrote to you recently about the above audit. As you know, we decided to look further into the facts and figures published by Freeman & Company. We now wish to comment in detail to their publication, ECT In Scotland. The articles quoted. Table 21 on page 20 Reid 98.) Reid gives the figure of 0.31% for deaths within two weeks. We think Freeman has taken out the 2 suicides ... (more...)

Added: Jul 22, 2006 12:19 pm | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY BACKGROUND PAPER By RESEARCH-ABLE, INC. Prepared for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services March 1998 Prepared pursuant to CMHS Contract No. 0353-95-0004 RESEARCH-ABLE, INC., 501 Niblick Drive, S.E., Vienna Virginia 22180 TABLE OF CONTENTS PURPOSE INTRODUCTION I. HISTORY II. ECT AS A METHOD OF TREATMENT * Administration of ECT * Risks * Theories Regarding Mechanism of Action * Conditions for Which ECT Is Used * Importance of Patient Consent to Treatment III. CONSUMER AND ... (more...)

Added: Jul 22, 2006 12:19 pm | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

Censored! The Center for Mental Health Services contracted Linda Andre, head of Committee for Truth in Psychiatry, the largest group of shock survivors, to write the following for its ECT report. But CMHS bowed to heavy pressure from NAMI and the NDMDA, who lobbied hard to keep negative information from the report. CMHS, after hiring Ms. Andre, censored her material. Here at ect.org we bring you the censored material! Exclusive! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What position does your organization hold on the use ... (more...)

Added: Jul 22, 2006 12:19 pm | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print

The Practice of Electroconvulsive Therapy: Recommendations for Treatment, Training, and Privileging A Task Force Report of the American Psychiatric Association The APA Task Force on Electroconvulsive Therapy: Richard D. Weiner, M.D., Ph.D. (Chairperson) Max Fink, M.D. Donald W. Hammersley, M.D. Iver F. Small, M.D. Louis A. Moench, M.D. Harold Sackeim, Ph.D. (Consultant) APA Staff Harold Alan Pincus, M.D. Sandy Ferris Published by the American Psychiatric Association 1400 K Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11.4.3. Electrical Safety Considerations a) The device's electrical grounding should not be bypassed. ECT devices should be connected to the same ... (more...)

Added: Jul 22, 2006 12:19 pm | Comment |  Email This Post  | Print