Life After ECT
By Life After ECT
The goal of this podcast is to shed light on the facts about ECT, as well as dispel myths and misconceptions.
Join us as we discuss the science, side effects, controversies, and stories of those harmed by the procedure.
Disclaimer: All of the material provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified care provider.
Life After ECTJan 28, 2024
New ECT Research and Litigation Opportunities
Thank you for tuning into the Life After ECT Podcast.
Life After ECT Inc. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organazation focused on improving the quality of life for those injured by ECT.
Learn more about what we do and how you can support our work: Looking to a Brighter Future for Those Harmed by ECT
Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LrUHhroyOX66T7FUQ0iytyfNoCzmqKN91PQ0LfiKeBI/edit?usp=sharing
Correction: The law firm is now Wisner & Baum, not Baum Headlund
Disenfranchised Grief and ECT
Disenfranchised grief: the unseen pain of those disabled by electroconvulsive therapy In this podcast, I talk about the grief that people disabled by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may experience, which often goes unrecognized. I want to clarify that I am not a mental health professional but someone who has gone through this experience, sharing what has helped my ongoing recovery. (see full disclaimer)
Resources mentioned in the episode: https://lifeafterect.com/disenfranchised-grief-the-unseen-pain-of-those-disabled-by-electroconvulsive-therapy-ect/ Support our mission: https://lifeafterect.com/donate/ Sign our patient safety petition: https://www.change.org/p/standardize-regulate-audit-shock-treatments-electroconvulsive-therapy-or-ect
Linda Andre Testimony (Video) - Bill H12
Linda Andre Testimony - Vermont House Bill H12, Informed consent to electroconvulsive therapy, 1999
Testimony date: 2000
If you can, please consider supporting Linda's son's GoFund me to cover funeral expenses and preserve her library of research. Fundraiser by Alandra Markman : Linda Andre's Legacy (gofundme.com) ( https://www.gofundme.com/f/linda-andre )
Linda Andre Testimony - Vermont House Bill H12
Linda Andre Testimony - Vermont House Bill H12, Informed consent to electroconvulsive therapy, 1999
Testimony date: 2000
If you can, please consider supporting Linda's son's GoFund me to cover funeral expenses and preserve her library of research. Fundraiser by Alandra Markman : Linda Andre's Legacy (gofundme.com) ( https://www.gofundme.com/f/linda-andre )
Linda Andre Book Interview with Philip Bennet
An Interview with Linda Andre by Philip Bennet, recorded several years ago (the recording date was not included in the file). In it they discuss her book, Doctors of Deception, What they Don't Want You to Know About Shock Treatment.
Our community has recently suffered a great loss. Linda Andre, author of one of the most important books on ECT ever written, passed away this month. Linda was my hero. I first came across her work while desperately searching the Internet for answers when ECT damaged my brain and my doctors refused to believe me. Reading her presentation "Electroconvulsive Therapy as a Head Injury" changed my life.
Her work showed me that ECT can cause permanent brain damage and those affected by ECT are routinely denied testing and rehabilitation, as was the case with me. Linda showed me the hope of recovery through the stories of people who found a way to recover when doctors couldn't help them.
There is so much I want to say about Linda, but after ECT, the right words are always so hard to find. Until I can write a full tribute post I wanted to do something so I recorded a small tribute to ger along with her second inteview with Philip Bennet. In it they sumarize key points from her book.
Find links and resources and tributes to Linda Andre in the show notes.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) opposed mandatory neuropsychological testing for patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
You're not alone. For over 80 years that ECT has been in use, people have reported disabling side effects. Despite decades of ECT's use, no mandatory standards have been established to ensure that individuals can receive comprehensive testing and rehabilitation if necessary. View the #AuditECT petition.
In 2016, there was an opportunity to address this issue when the FDA attempted to reclassify the ECT device. The FDA's proposed guidance included mandatory neuropsychological testing for those undergoing treatment. However, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), a professional organization representing 36,000 psychiatric physicians, opposed the idea of mandated testing.
Eventually, when the reclassification was finalized, the original proposed testing mandates were abandoned.
There are people who underwent ECT many years ago and have never undergone a neuropsychological evaluation, not to mention the countless people who have recently undergone electroshock therapy. With an estimated 2 million people worldwide undergoing ECT each year, a staggering number of individuals will continue to struggle to access appropriate testing and treatment for disabilities caused by ECT and other health issues related to electrical injury.
See show notes for links and resources.
Psychiactric advanced directives -- a defense against forced ECT?
Many harmed by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) want to protect themselves from forced ECT in the future.
One way to do this is by creating a psychiatric advanced directive (PAD), which is a document that outlines their wishes regarding psychiatric treatment.
Content warnings: In this episode I briefly discuss forced treatment, unmodified ECT, and the limits of advanced directives. Be sure to practice self care if any of these topics are disressing to you.
Learn more about psychiactric advanced directives, forced and unmodified ECT in the show notes.
Five things I wish I knew before having ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) audio
Like how my doctors would treat me after being disabled by the procedure
The "new and improved" safety measures aren't as effective as advertised
ECT's lasting impact on how the brain processes vision
That ECT doctors don't know much about electricity or what it does to the human body
Some people will experience serious disabling conditions from the electricity used to cause a seizure
citations and resources
5 Things I wish I knew before having ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)
5 Things I wish I knew before having ECT - Video
There are so many things I wish I had known before having ECT. The following are the focus of this episode:
- Like how my doctors would treat me after being disabled by the procedure
- The "new and improved" safety measures aren't as effective as advertised
- ECT's lasting impact on how the brain processes vision
- That ECT doctors don't know much about electricity or what it does to the human body
- Some people will experience serious disabling conditions from the electricity used to cause a seizure
citations and resources 5 Things I wish I knew before having ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)
The long-term consequences of a depression treatment regaining favor & popularity: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Video
This is a presentation by Sarah Price Hancock for the Stop Depression Summit, 2023. https://stopdepressionsummit.com/
Show notes and links
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EWo9lkpuK2lU4roaMYumZ8fJ6ujM4UKc_IBvsOnskfk/edit?usp=sharing
About Sarah
Sarah lived for nearly two decades, misdiagnosed with severe “treatment resistant” mental illness. She was given 116 bilateral ECT treatments and now lives with Delayed Electrical Injury’s Myoneural Disorder.
Sarah holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and taught for four years in San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program. She also hosts The Emotional Self-Reliance Podcast and guest lectures on psychiatric recovery.
She founded a newly formed nonprofit, The Ionic Injury Foundation, with a focus on electrical injury research. Donate to her fundraiser https://www.gofundme.com/f/ionic-injury-foundation?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
Learn how you can participate in electrical injury research.
Learn about Sarah’s campaign to ensure those harmed by ECT get the help they need and future ECT patients are protected through standardization and regulation.
The long-term consequences of a depression treatment regaining favor & popularity: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
This is a presentation by Sarah Price Hancock for the Stop Depression Summit, 2023. https://stopdepressionsummit.com/
Show notes and links
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EWo9lkpuK2lU4roaMYumZ8fJ6ujM4UKc_IBvsOnskfk/edit?usp=sharing
About Sarah
Sarah lived for nearly two decades, misdiagnosed with severe “treatment resistant” mental illness. She was given 116 bilateral ECT treatments and now lives with Delayed Electrical Injury’s Myoneural Disorder.
Sarah holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and taught for four years in San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program. She also hosts The Emotional Self-Reliance Podcast and guest lectures on psychiatric recovery.
She founded a newly formed nonprofit, The Ionic Injury Foundation, with a focus on electrical injury research. Donate to her fundraiser https://www.gofundme.com/f/ionic-injury-foundation?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
Learn how you can participate in electrical injury research.
Learn about Sarah’s campaign to ensure those harmed by ECT get the help they need and future ECT patients are protected through standardization and regulation.
Testimony of Emily Stanton - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut (Forced ECT)
Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut
The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state.
This is the testimony of Emily Stanton, a concerned mental health advocate, regarding this bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process.
Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
Testimony of Jill Edwards - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Conneticut (Forced ECT)
This is the testimony of ECT survivor Jill Edwards regarding a new ECT bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process.
C G A (ct.gov)
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov)
Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube
The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state.
Testimony of Professor John Read - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Conneticut (Forced ECT)
Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov)
Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube
More works by Professor Read
- John Read and Irving Kirsch – Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Does the Evidence From Clinical Trials Justify its Continued Use? – Mad in the UK
- A second independent audit of electroconvulsive therapy in England, 2019: Usage, demographics, consent, and adherence to guidelines and legislation
- Why aren’t patients being told truth about electric shock therapy?
Testimony of Attorney Kathy Flaherty - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Conneticut (Forced ECT)
Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut
The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state.
This is the testimony of ECT survivor and attorney Kathy Flaherty regarding a new ECT bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process.
View written testimony 2023SB-00898-R000201-Flaherty, Kathy, Executive Director-Connecticut Legal Rights Project-Opposes-TMY.PDF.
Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
Testimony of Chris Dubey - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Conneticut (Forced ECT)
Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut
Chris Dubey is a survivor of forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Read his written testimony We Must Not Remove Legal Protections for People at Risk of Forced ECT - Mad In America
Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
Testimony of Sarah Price Hancock, MS, CRC, - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Conneticuit
Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov)
Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube
The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state.
This is the testimony of Sarah Price Hancock, MS, CRC, regarding a new ECT bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process.
Sarah lived for nearly two decades, misdiagnosed with severe “treatment resistant” mental illness. She was given 116 bilateral ECT treatments and now lives with Delayed Electrical Injury’s Myoneural Disorder.
Sarah holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and taught for four years in San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program. She also hosts The Emotional Self-Reliance Podcast and guest lectures on psychiatric recovery.
She founded a newly formed nonprofit, The Ionic Injury Foundation, with a focus on electrical injury research.
Learn how you can participate in electrical injury research.
Learn about Sarah’s campaign to ensure those harmed by ECT get the help they need and future ECT patients are protected through standardization and regulation.
ECT Destroys Lives (electroconvulsive therapy)
Linda Andre Interview - Madness Radio
Linda Andre became an accidental activist after her life was irreparably altered by ECT. She lost five years of her life and suffered permanent cognitive disability after a series of treatments she was aggressively coerced into having.
Andre’s journey would lead her to the electroshock survivor community and activism, later to write what many consider the definitive book on electroshock, Doctors of Deception: What They Don’t Want You to Know about Shock Treatment.
In this interview, Linda discusses her experience, the complex history of shock therapy, and elaborate efforts by the industry to mislead and suppress information about ECT’s true risks, side effects, and efficacy.
If I could summarize my book in one sentence it would be this: if you tell a big lie and you tell it often enough and it’s big enough people will believe you.~Linda Andre
Listen here ECT MYTHS DISCUSSED:- Modified ECT isn’t new – electroconvulsive therapy performed under anesthesia with muscle paralytics have been in use since the 1950s.
- Modified ECT is physically more damaging to the brain because the seizure threshold is raised by anesthesia, requiring more electricity to induce convulsions
- Pure oxygenation is used to make seizures last longer, not to improve patient safety.
- Patients injured by ECT struggle to be taken seriously by doctors, the media, and society. See ECT Arguments: All Medical Procedures Have Risks
- Celebrity ECT promoters like Kitty Dukakis and Carrie Fisher have acknowledged they have experienced permanent memory loss.
- Psychiatry lobbied against FDA safety testing at a time the device was supposed to be proven effective or taken off the market.
- Conflicts of interest are rife in ECT research.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SCiXfxFswJZNVzdp84ZOWNbG3EwPYsUHpKUHsD82Z5g/edit?usp=sharing
Can Electroconvulsive Therapy Erase Bad Memories? ECT and the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Audio
I often get asked if electroconvulsive therapy can erase bad memories. I made this video to answer that question by sharing my experience with traumatic memories before and after shock therapy to show how it can impact people with this condition.
Can Electroconvulsive Therapy Erase Bad Memories? ECT and the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
I love Jim Carrey. While mostly known for his off-the-wall physical comedy, he has a few serious roles in his film roster. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of my favorite movies starring Jim Carrey. It's a story about a couple's breakup and the painful consequences that follow. Clementine, played by Kate Winslet, undergoes a procedure to erase Joel, played by Jim Carrey, from her memory, and he does the same in turn. However, this leads to some unexpected results. I watched this movie often during the early stages of recovery from brain damage from ECT. I think I was searching for a reflection of my new reality after losing old memories, and the ability to make new ones was wrecked. The film's choppy jump cuts and shuffled timelines felt true to my early recovery days. At that time, I constantly felt confused and struggled to make sense of my fragmented memories. I would go to places I'd been before but couldn't remember, talk to people I sensed I knew but couldn't place, and feel like something was missing but not know what place. Doctors refused to believe anything was wrong. I'd gone so long without talking to another injured ECT recipient, and doctors repeatedly told me ECT doesn’t cause permanent brain damage... I guess I needed to see a reflection of how distorted my world was after shock therapy after my ability to make new memories was wrecked. The idea of selectively erasing traumatic memories is interesting, but is it possible? There’s research on using Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD & PTSD), like in the movie, selectively erasing or reducing traumatic memories. Over the years, this topic has generated a lot of pop science buzz in the media, often citing Spotless Mind like I’m doing now. But I can speculate where the journalists can't because I’ve lived it. Many considering shock therapy says they don't care if their memories are erased from the treatment. I was one of those people. I wish I'd known more about memory before undergoing electroconvulsive therapy for supposed treatment-resistant depression (CPTSD and life-threatening undiagnosed medical conditions— all 100% treatable.) Memory is not a buffet you can pick and choose from. In a brain made up of mostly water, doctors can't control the electricity, let alone identify and target specific memories while leaving other memories and cognition intact. Cranial nerves involved in trauma responses are also at risk of damage in ways we're only beginning to understand. Trauma mixed with brain damage is a hell I could never have imagined. People like me desperately need comprehensive testing and rehabilitation for long-term sequelae of electrical injury from ECT. Learn how you can support all ECT patients https://www.change.org/p/standardize-... Blog post https://lifeafterect.com/can-ect-eras... Works Cited Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind. Directed by Michel Gondry, performances by Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet. Focus Features, 2004. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338013/ Gifs https://giphy.com/ Music courtesy of : RYYZN MEMORIES ERASED https://hypeddit.com/track/3zzfl9 Links to articles cited https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T...
Lisa Morrison's ECT Story, Part 3 - Justice and Hope
The following guest audio is part 3 of 3 part series from electroshock survivor, Lisa Morrison. She shares her experiences before and after receiving electroconvulsive therapy as well as valuable insights on patient care. Part 1 Part 2 See show notes for links: Show Notes https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EWo9lkpuK2lU4roaMYumZ8fJ6ujM4UKc_IBvsOnskfk/edit?usp=sharing
Lisa Morrison: "The following 3-part blog arose after agreeing to be interviewed about my experiences of receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) by the BBC NI. The purpose is to share my views, experiences, and questions arising from facing the reality that I had received ECT on far more occasions than I remembered. The purpose is to share my views, experiences and questions arising from facing the reality that I had received ECT on far more occasions than I remembered. I have also since, received some of my records which had been requested because of my sketchy memory. These validated issues I have raised through my work but were quite challenging and at times distressing to read. This is a bog-standard reflection of my thoughts on ECT and the system in which it was delivered as I try to make sense of my own journey through mental health services. It has helped me take what felt overwhelming and ‘too big’ and translate it into a narrative which I hope will contribute to positive change. I have not tried to give all perspectives or reference multiple research papers. This is just my story. I intentionally refer to ‘the system’ and not individuals as I believe, in the most part, people wanted to help." ----------------------------------- RESOURCES How to Report Your ECT Injury to the FDA Action Litigation Additional Resources Petition · Standardize, Regulate & Audit Shock Treatments (Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT)
Lisa Morrison's ECT Story, Part 2: Finding Me
The following guest audio is part two of 3 part series from electroshock survivor, Lisa Morrison. She shares her experiences before and after receiving electroconvulsive therapy as well as valuable insights on patient care.
See show notes for links:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CABT2asu7F3JdFDjhMFMiLMGfozu_mSMJm-ZsG42PQo/edit?usp=sharing
Lisa Morrison:
"The following 3-part blog arose after agreeing to be interviewed about my experiences of receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) by the BBC NI. The purpose is to share my views, experiences, and questions arising from facing the reality that I had received ECT on far more occasions than I remembered. The purpose is to share my views, experiences and questions arising from facing the reality that I had received ECT on far more occasions than I remembered. I have also since, received some of my records which had been requested because of my sketchy memory. These validated issues I have raised through my work but were quite challenging and at times distressing to read. This is a bog-standard reflection of my thoughts on ECT and the system in which it was delivered as I try to make sense of my own journey through mental health services. It has helped me take what felt overwhelming and ‘too big’ and translate it into a narrative which I hope will contribute to positive change. I have not tried to give all perspectives or reference multiple research papers. This is just my story. I intentionally refer to ‘the system’ and not individuals as I believe, in the most part, people wanted to help."
Lisa Morrison's ECT Story, Part 1: Loss and Anger
The following guest audio is a 3 part series from electroshock survivor, Lisa Morrison. She shares her experiences before and after receiving electroconvulsive therapy as well as valuable insights on patient care.
See show notes for links:
Show Notes
docs.google.com/document/d/1zALXBgdPTzcYoDkay9uxXJX_HsbUgq75YFAHtvMye4Q/edit?usp=sharing
Lisa Morrison:
"The following 3-part blog arose after agreeing to be interviewed about my experiences of receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) by the BBC NI. The purpose is to share my views, experiences, and questions arising from facing the reality that I had received ECT on far more occasions than I remembered. The purpose is to share my views, experiences and questions arising from facing the reality that I had received ECT on far more occasions than I remembered. I have also since, received some of my records which had been requested because of my sketchy memory. These validated issues I have raised through my work but were quite challenging and at times distressing to read. This is a bog-standard reflection of my thoughts on ECT and the system in which it was delivered as I try to make sense of my own journey through mental health services. It has helped me take what felt overwhelming and ‘too big’ and translate it into a narrative which I hope will contribute to positive change. I have not tried to give all perspectives or reference multiple research papers. This is just my story. I intentionally refer to ‘the system’ and not individuals as I believe, in the most part, people wanted to help."
What's Life Like After Shock Treatment (ECT)? - Guest Interview
Electroconvulsive Therapy Success and Failure - Two Patients Discuss Their Different ECT Outcomes
This guest audio is from the Emotional Self Reliance Podcast. Sarah P. Hancock and her friend, Greg Threadgold have both had electroconvulsive therapy with remarkably different outcomes. In this episode, the two compare their different results with ECT and discuss the need for better regulation of this procedure to ensure good outcomes for all patients.See original interview.
SHOW NOTES
I sat down with Greg Threadgold, an ECT patient who feels ECT saved his life.
We had a sincere discussion about the differences in treatment practices and the need to prevent injury among ECT patients.
Greg Threadgold discusses his ECT Success and shares how he felt about my failed treatment.
Repetitive head injury has delayed effects as does low-voltage diffuse electrical injury.
ECT must be considered through the lens of both repetitive head trauma and an electrical injury (900 milliamps/450 volts/504mC).
To standardize, regulate, audit ECT and provide rehabilitation to patients if/when injured, please sign and share the international patient safety petition www.change.org/patientsafetyECT
Your signature could save a life.
Sadly, Greg's experienced his first episode of symptoms associated with delayed electrical injury eight years after having 13 treatments. His experience speaks to the reality that even "successful ECT outcomes" carry the risk of developing low-voltage diffuse electrical injury symptoms years after treatment. Paroxysmal neurological disorders from electrical injuries acquired channelopathies can be difficult to recognize and diagnose.
We desperately need researchers who study acquired brain injuries and/or repetitive head injuries to do a retrospective study on people with a history of shock treatment to identify needs associated with the delayed effects of repeatedly exposing the brain to 900 milliamps/450 volts of electricity.
Dr. Bennet Omalu, the neuropathologist who first identified and published on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy among American Football Players, stated in California's Department of Rehabilitation TBI Advisory Board Meeting that electroconvulsive therapy must be considered through the lens of a repetitive electrical injury to the head.
The neuropathology of ECT is clear. It's both a repetitive head injury and an electrical injury--and must be considered as such when considering the functional acquired brain injury to develop appropriate interventional rehabilitative care. (Omalu, B. (2019, August). TBI Advisory Board Meeting of California's Department of Rehabilitation, Sacramento, CA).
Please continue to share the #AuditECT petition https://www.change.org/p/standardize-...
Understanding Electrical Injury - Dr. Marc Jeschke
This is a recording of a presentation by electrical injury expert Dr. Marc Jeschke (pronounced yesh-key) explains the similarities between high and low voltage electrical injuries, the physical and social impacts of these injuries, and what research is needed to improve patient outcomes. We thank Dr. Jeschke for allowing us to share his important information with our community.
Did you know ECT has never been FDA-tested for safety or efficacy? Learn more about why this matters and how you can help improve outcomes for all patients - Audit ECT Campaign
A Discussion on ECT - A Disorder for Everyone Festival 2021
4 patient safety activists discuss their efforts for an independent review of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) use in the UK.
CAMPAIGN AIMSLearn about the campaigners’ aims and find links to related resources: Guest blog: Call for an independent review into the practice of ECT
LUCY JOHNSTON- Lucy Johnston is a consultant clinical psychologist and author.
John Read is a professor of clinical psychology of East London with numerous publications to his name. He has been in the ECT reform space for many years following his first-hand experience with electroshock recipients while in the nursing field.
CHRIS HARROPChris Harrop is a private practicing clinical psychologist with 20+ years of experience working for the National Health Service (NHS). He has numerous publications on psychosis and is the coauthor of many of the freedom of information (FOA) requests regarding the UK’s ECT practice, regulation, or lack thereof.
SUSAN CUNLIFFE, MBCHB HONOURSSue Cunliffe is a former pediatrician and abuse survivor who suffered life-changing permanent damage from electroconvulsive therapy. She is a passionate campaigner for ECT patient safety through informed consent, regulation, and proper practice.
SARAH PRICE HANCOCK MS, CRCMisdiagnosis of a medically treatable illness led Sarah to years of polypharmacy and 116 ECT treatments. Sarah now lives with the devastating long-term consequences of electrical injury. She is campaigning for the audit and regulation of ECT.
A DISORDER FOR EVERYONE ORG
ECT & Litigation - How to File a Lawsuit - Guest Episode
Today audio is from Deborah Swartzkopf, a former Level One Trauma Nurse, electroshock survivor, and founder of ECTJustice.com. In this episode, she explains the steps you need to take to file a lawsuit after being injured by ECT.
Deborah also covers issues like the statute of limitations for filing an ECT lawsuit, and tips for submitting your experience to law firms.
RESOURCES:
Help improve ECT patient safety - Audit ECT petition
ECT & brain damage: what it looks like and how to get help - Guest
ECT and brain injury:
what does electroconvulsive therapy-induced brain damage look like and how can patients get testing and rehab?
Continuing this special series, Deborah, former level 1 trauma nurse and electroshock survivor, explains
- ECT injury symptoms & consequences of those injuries as far as we understand
- Barriers keeping patients from getting appropriate testing and rehabilitative following ECT
- What tests to request How sharing your experience can help yourself and other patients
PETITIONS
Sarah's petition - Petition · Standardize, Regulate & Audit Shock Treatments (Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT) · Change.org
Sarah’s Latest Article Open Letter to the FDA's Denial of ECT's Harms - 2021 - Life After ECT
Sue's Petition - closed
Medical Errors Podcast interview - ECT & Brain Damage - A Physician's Experience - Life After ECT
RESOURCES
Electroconvulsive trauma episode
Ernest Hemingway - Famous ECT Patients (PART 1)
Today marks the 59th anniversary of renowned American author, Ernest Hemingway's suicide.
Hemingway killed himself following a series of involuntary electroshock (ECT) that wrecked his writing ability, giving one of the most cited quotes on ECT injury in the process:
"What these shock doctors don't know is about writers and such things as remorse and contrition and what they do to them . . . Well, what is the sense of ruining my head and erasing my memory, which is my capital, and putting me out of business? It was a brilliant cure, but we lost the patient."
Ernest Hemingway, Papa Hemingway, A.E. Hotchner
Hemingway's case is still relevant in the year 2020; people are still losing their livelihoods to electroshock. Some patients like Ernest, kill themselves, too.
I recently learned of more tragic circumstances leading up to his death that I feel more people should know about.
I will also share a bit about similar struggles with work and school and I invite other survivors to also for a follow-up episode.
It's easy!
Your Story: What work/education problems did you have after ECT?
Leave a voicemail Voice Mail - https://anchor.fm/lifeafterect/message
- Include your name, initials or alias if you prefer to remain anonymous
- Briefly describe any work/school issues you had
- Stay tuned for the follow-up episode!
RESOURCES
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/opinion/02hotchner.htm
Ernest Hemingway: macho man of letters
http://www.cnn.com/fyi/school.tools/profiles/hemingway/index.story.html Latest analysis of ECT efficacy
The latest analysis of ECT dismal efficacy
Did you know shock therapy has never been standardized? Learn why this matters and how you can help
-----
JaneLifeAfterECT@gmail.com
What is Electroconvulsive Trauma?
Deborah was coerced into having electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at a vulnerable time in her life.
As a result of these treatments, she lost her career as a trauma nurse, skills, marriage, memories of her children's lives, and the ability to make new memories, and more. Read The impact of electroshock on my life
She has since worked tirelessly to help educate society and help peers obtain legal and medical support for their injuries.
Over the years she has done extensive research and her activism efforts have propelled our cause forward with the first successful class-action lawsuit, and medical & psychological tests that confirm brain damage from electroshock.
She has generously let me convert her videos to podcast format so this valuable information can reach more people.
Topics Covered:
- issues with informed consent
- evidence ECT causes brain damage
- brain damage symptoms
- how patients struggle to get testing by most medical fields who prefer to protect colleagues rather than help brain-damaged patients
- lawsuits
- how to get testing & rehabilitation
Learn more about Deborah's work ECTJustice.com
Did you know ECT has never been safety tested by the FDA, nor is it regulated or standardized? Learn why this matters and how you can help Petition