Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a treatment that involves sending an electric current through the brain, causing a brief surge of electrical activity (also known as a seizure). The aim of the treatment is to relieve the symptoms of some mental health conditions.

ECT is given under general anaesthetic. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) only recommends its use to achieve quick, short-term improvements for:

• Severe or life-threatening depression
• Moderate to severe depression where other options such as talking therapies and medication haven’t helped
• A severe or long lasting episode of mania
• Catatonia (staying frozen in one position or making very restless movements)

Repeated ECT should only be considered if all other options have been considered and a patient has responded well to previous sessions.

It is very important a patient is given full information about the treatment, including all possible side effects, both short and long term. You should have a full medical examination prior to treatment to ensure it is safe for you, and most importantly you should give your consent to the treatment.

Historically, ECT treatment was often used unethically and without obtaining informed consent. It has also come to light that patients were not made aware of the possible longer term side effects, which include:

• Memory loss – for some people this is short term but many find it longer lasting or permanent, with some unable to carry out their usual daily activities and their education and/or career affected accordingly
• Apathy (loss of interest in one’s self, other people, and one’s surroundings)
• Loss of creativity, drive, and energy
• Loss of emotional responses
• Difficulty learning new information
• Difficulty concentrating

At Freeths we are seeing more and more clients coming to us with long lasting effects from ECT treatments and complaints about the lack of information given to them in addition to a lack of consent. We now represent a number of ECT claimants so please contact us if you would like to look into your options. We review each potential claim on an individual basis, establishing what was known about ECT at the time of your exposure to it and then comparing that to what you were told about its benefits and risks.

Call us now for FREE on 0330 100 1014 for initial advice and see how we can help you.