New Research Raises Concerns About ECT's Side Effects

Recent research suggests that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment often utilized for severe depression, could have a broader spectrum of negative effects than previously acknowledged. A new paper advocates for an immediate suspension of ECT until further in-depth studies can confirm its safety and efficacy.

Electroconvulsive therapy involves administering electrical currents to the brain while the patient is under general anesthesia, inducing seizures as a method of treatment. Typically, patients undergo a series of six to twelve sessions. In the UK, ECT is administered to around 2,500 individuals each year, primarily for cases of treatment-resistant depression, as well as other conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and catatonia.

Although memory loss, both short- and long-term, is a well-documented outcome of ECT, this latest research has uncovered an alarming 25 additional side effects. These include:

The study, published in the International Journal of Mental Health, is based on a survey of 747 patients who have undergone ECT, along with feedback from 201 of their relatives and friends. While not definitive, the findings could indicate other potential adverse effects, especially given the challenges associated with researching ECT.

Professor John Read, the study's lead author and a psychology professor at the University of East London, expressed serious concerns over the implications of these findings. He stated, “Given that we still don’t know if ECT is more effective than placebo, these startling new findings make it even more urgent that it be suspended pending a thorough investigation into both safety and efficacy.” He emphasized the flawed nature of the existing research, suggesting that if ECT were newly introduced, it would likely fail to receive approvals from both the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The research brought to light several alarming statistics regarding the side effects experienced by ECT patients:

Some side effects appeared to be linked to memory loss, manifesting in difficulties with relationships, navigation, and even a loss of vocabulary.

Sue Cunliffe, who underwent ECT in 2004 for severe depression, shared her harrowing experience with the treatment. She stated that the side effects have “completely wrecked my life from age 38.” Sue described enduring slurred speech, shaky hands, and balance issues, as well as cognitive impairments that hinder her ability to recognize faces, manage money, follow directions, or read and write effectively. Reflecting on her decline, she recounted, “A week before ECT I was on a running machine, playing badminton and able to write poetry, and six weeks later I’m falling down stairs, bruised.” Today, she continues to struggle with brain fog and fatigue, which have prevented her from working as a doctor and forced her to significantly limit her daily activities.

The use of ECT remains a contentious topic within the mental health community. While some patients report significant improvements in their conditions, the precise mechanisms by which ECT affects the brain remain unclear. Professor Tania Gergel, director of research at Bipolar UK and an honorary psychiatry professor at University College London, argued that there is “no evidence to substantiate claims that modern ECT carries any major risk to physical health or that it causes long-term brain damage and permanent deterioration.”

As the debate surrounding electroconvulsive therapy continues, this recent research underscores the necessity for comprehensive studies to ascertain the safety and efficacy of ECT. With a significant number of patients reporting adverse effects, it may be time to reevaluate the use of this treatment in favor of safer, more effective alternatives. The call for a pause in ECT practices until more conclusive evidence is available is a crucial step towards ensuring patient safety and advancing mental health treatment.