Shock Therapy: A History of Electroconvulsive Treatment in Mental IllnessShock therapy is making a comeback today in the treatment of serious mental illness. Despite its reemergence as a safe and effective psychiatric tool, however, it continues to be shrouded by a longstanding negative public image, not least due to films such as the classic One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, where the inmate of a psychiatric clinic (played by Jack Nicholson) is subjected to electro-shock to curb his rebellious behavior. Beyond its vilification in popular culture, the stereotype of convulsive therapy as a dangerous and inhumane practice is fuelled by professional posturing and public misinformation. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, has in the last thirty years been considered a method of last resort in the treatment of debilitating depression, suicidal ideation, and other forms of mental illness. Yet, ironically, its effectiveness in treating these patients would suggest it as a frontline therapy, bringing relief from acute symptoms and saving lives. Shock therapy is making a comeback today in the treatment of serious mental illness. Despite its reemergence as a safe and effective psychiatric tool, however, it continues to be shrouded by a longstanding negative public image, not least due to films such as the classic One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, where the inmate of a psychiatric clinic (played by Jack Nicholson) is subjected to electro-shock to curb his rebellious behavior. Beyond its vilification in popular culture, the stereotype of convulsive therapy as a dangerous and inhumane practice is fuelled by professional posturing and public misinformation. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, has in the last thirty years been considered a method of last resort in the treatment of debilitating depression, suicidal ideation, and other forms of mental illness. Yet, ironically, its effectiveness in treating these patients would suggest it as a frontline therapy, bringing relief from acute symptoms and saving lives. -- Provided by publisher. |
Contents
chapter | 9 |
chapter three | 31 |
chapter four | 49 |
chapter five | 83 |
chapter | 103 |
chapter seven | 142 |
chapter eight | 164 |
chapter nine | 181 |
chapter | 219 |
chapter eleven | 253 |
chapter twelve | 290 |
Other editions - View all
Shock Therapy: A History of Electroconvulsive Treatment in Mental Illness Edward Shorter,David Healy No preview available - 2007 |
Shock Therapy: A History of Electroconvulsive Treatment in Mental Illness Edward Shorter,David Healy No preview available - 2013 |
Common terms and phrases
administered Almansi American Psychiatric antidepressants antipsychiatry antipsychotics Archives asylum became began Bini brain damage catatonia chlorpromazine clinicians coma therapy convulsive therapy David Healy depression developed disease disorders dose drugs early ECT specialists Edward Shorter electricity Electroconvulsive Therapy electrodes Electroshock electrotherapy epilepsy fractures Frankel George Hillside Hospital Impastato induced informed consent insulin coma insulin treatment interview by Edward Lancet later Manfred Sakel Max Fink medicine Meduna memory loss Menninger ment Mental Health mental hospital mental illness Metrazol Metrazol therapy Müller Nervous Neurology NIMH Paris patients percent physicians procedure Psychiatric Association psychiatric hospital Psychiatric Institute psychoanalysis Psychopharmacology psychosis psychotic quote receive ECT responded Richard Weiner Sackeim Sakel schizophrenia seizure Shock Therapy Shock Treatment side effects somatic suicide symptoms task force therapeutic tients tion treated trial Ugo Cerletti unilateral United Vagus Nerve Stimulation Vienna Weiner William Karliner Wortis York State Psychiatric