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The death of electroconvulsive therapy

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Abstract

In Italy, where it began more than 62 years ago, ECT has almost been abolished. In some countries, however, ECT is still used inappropriately, particularly in elderly patients. There is no medical, moral, or legal justification for ECT, and the new requirements of modern psychiatric practice can all be achieved with-out it. Like prefrontal lobotomy and all previous shock treatments, ECT is nonviable. The death of ECT will help promote mental health and put the treatment where it belongs—in the archaeology of science.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ross Thomson Unit, Route Hospital, Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

    Hanafy Youssef D.M., D.P.M., F.R.C.Psych

  2. School of Health Professions, Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia, USA

    Fatma Youssef D.N.Sc., M.P.H., R.N. (Professor of Nursing Science)

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  1. Hanafy Youssef D.M., D.P.M., F.R.C.Psych
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  2. Fatma Youssef D.N.Sc., M.P.H., R.N.
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Youssef, H., Youssef, F. The death of electroconvulsive therapy. Adv Therapy 18, 83–89 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02852392

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