ECT as an Effective Treatment for Self Harm in Extreme Cases of Mentally Unstable Patients who Cannot Give Informed Consent There is much controversy in regards to how far a practitioner should go to protect a patient's well-being, whilst trying to adhere to their rights and consent of treatment methods (Feldman, 1990, p. 261). The most ethical solution is to only resort to extreme methods of treatments if the patient is clearly seen as not being mentally stable enough to provide the right judgement call, and if they are in a life-threatening situation in which they could potentially harm themselves or others. In cases where patients are not mentally stable enough to give their consent, their family, guardians, partners, or an authorized medical practitioner should be able to decide for them. In such cases ECT, electro-convulsive therapy is an effective treatment for severe cases and can be used without a patients consent because it has proven to be greatly effective. Many practitioners argue that punitive treatments such as this are harsh, unethical, and unnecessary (Feldman, 1990, 262). However, much research confirms that ECT effectively helps deplete these aggressive acts and it can therefore be seen as ethical and right, despite the fact that patients consent is not given because from a cost-benefit point of view, extreme methods of treatment should be used if it could make the difference of life or death in a patient. Studies by Watchtel et al., Dean, and Kellner et al., demonstrate how ECT can be effective for patients who commit self-injurious actions due to various behavioural disorders such as autism, depression, and bipolar disorder. Thus ECT is justifiable if used in extreme cases such as these, and this method is e... ... middle of paper ... ...). Retrieved January 27, 2014, from doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12050648 Feldman, Maurice A..Balancing freedom from harm and the right to treatment in persons with developmental disabilities In Perspectives on the use of nonaversive and aversive interventions for persons with developmental disabilities, edited by Repp, Alan C., Singh, Nirbhay N., 261- 271. Sycamore, IL, US: Sycamore Publishing Company, 1990. Kellner, C. H., Greenberg, R. M., Murrough, J. W., Bryson, E. O., Briggs, M. C., & Pasculli, R. M. (2012). ECT in Treatment Resistant Depression. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(12). Retrieved January 14, 1927, from doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12050648 Wachtel, L. E., Contrucci-Kuhn, S. A., Griffin, M., Thompson, A., Dhossche, D. M., & Reti, I. M. (2009). ECT For Self-Injury in an Autistic Boy. European Child Adolescent Psychiatry, 18(7), 458-463.
Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT, is a medical procedure that is used in the treatment of mental illness. In ECT, a small electrical impulse is sent through the brain, resulting in an ephemeral seizure. Though the process is generally effective, modern science is unaware of the explanation behind ECT's success. Its history is filled with a large amount of stigma and the use of ECT as a therapy is still debated today. ECT has evolved to a point where its beneficial effects can be maximized and its adverse effects can be minimized through proper administration.
Cox-Foster, D. L., Conlan, S., Holmes, E. C., Palacios, G., Evans, J. D., Moran, N. A.,…
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Vahey, C. D., Aiken, H. L., Sloane, M. D., Clarke, P. S., and Vargas, D. (2010 Jan. 15).
Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is a highly effective yet controversial psychiatric method that involves sending electric shockwaves into the brain to cure various mental ailments. Because the populace is not typically educated by psychiatrists on techniques such as ECT, their knowledge comes from inaccurate, and mostly negative, descriptions in the media dictated by non-psychiatrists. Additionally, many patient families are skeptical of ECT because it is not common practice to allow non-medical staff in the therapy room. Furthermore, some psychiatrists perceive this treatment as callous because it is occasionally used without the consent of a patient, should they not be mentally stable. Moreover, because of strong public opposition, ECT
9.Wang, P. S., Gruber, M. J., Powers, R. E., Schoenbaum, M., Speier, A. H., Wells, K. B., &
Many treatments within the medical field have been considered controversial, but even after seventy-eight years of use electroconvulsive therapy, also referred to as ECT, is still one of the most questionable treatments. Just like any other treatment ECT has its risk and advantages, but it seems to have an even more negative connotation than other controversial treatments due to its violent history. Throughout the seventy-eight years that ECT has been around, research has been done to learn more about the treatment, which disorders it can be useful for, and what side effects can occur. The research has led to adjustments being made to the procedure and has significantly improved patient safety. The success of electroconvulsive therapy can be shown by numbers and case opinions; it may work for one person, but not another.
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Payne, N.A. and Prudic, J. (2009) Electroconvulsive Therapy Part I : A Perspective on the Evolution and Current Practice of ECT Journal of Psychiatric Practice 15(5) pp.346-368