Ethics in Electroconvulsive Therapy

Few treatments for mental illness are more condemned in public opinion than electroconvulsive shock therapy. However, the reality is that EW is a safe and effective treatment for cases of clinical depression and catatonia that do not respond to pharmacotherapy. Moreover, unlike medication, EW has relatively few side effects. The authors argue that it is time to re-evaluate this historically stigmatised procedure. The authors make a strong case for bringing more professional and public attention to the benefits of this procedure, offering a historical discussion of EW movements, legislation, public and physician sentiment.