Preview

The Pros And Cons Of ECT

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
254 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Pros And Cons Of ECT
Many psychiatrists have halted in their usage of electroconvulsive therapy as a result of its occasionally forceful employment and lack of consent regulations. If a patient is not considered to be in their right mind, a psychiatrist will administer ECT with permission from patient families; however, they will not request the patient’s opinion. As a result of this force, many ECT practitioners have begun to take a stand against the procedure. With this in mind, by putting into place a stricter set of regulations as opposed to simply requesting the patient family’s judgement, a significant amount of ECT opposition can be eradicated. The patient’s opinion should still be taken into consideration when administering ECT since they are the ones undergoing the procedure, not their family. …show more content…
And not only the freedom, but even the ability is permanently altered and lessened” (Breeding par. 7). Forcing a patient to undergo any kind of medical procedure is considered to be inhumane and an infringement on personal liberties. However, forced treatment is still used in ECT for the reason that many patients are considered to be mentally unstable. Be that as it may, there should still be stricter regulations surrounding consent and patient opinions should be taken into consideration, even if they aren’t in their right minds. By removing forced treatment and including patient opinions frequently, opposing psychiatrists may choose to take up the treatment once

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT, is a type of psychiatric shock therapy. ECT involves the induction of a seizure in a patient by passing electricity through the brain. In the 1930s, Ugo Cerletti, the Italian psychiatrist, came up with the idea for treating human beings with Electroconvulsive therapy. He was observing the barbaric act of slaughterhouse hogs being electrocuted into unconsciousness so that it was easier for workers to slit their throats. He then thought that it could also apply to human beings as a treatment for mental illnesses. ECT may be used in people with symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts. Doctors found this method of psychiatric therapy especially useful when other treatments such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medications had not worked. It has also become useful for the treatment of other psychiatric and neurological conditions, such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.…

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Drug therapy is the main treatment for mental disorders and is based on the assumption that chemical imbalance is at the root of the problem. One type of drug is anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., minor tranquillizers called BZs such as Valium. These have a calming effect by inhibiting the nervous system and causing muscles to relax. BZs work by enhancing the action of the chemical messenger GABA, which acts to calm brain activity. Another type of drug is anti-depressant drugs (e.g. MAOIs, TCAs and SSRIs. These improve mood by increasing the availability of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. For example, MAOIs block the action of an enzyme that breaks down serotonin, so increasing its availability in the nervous system. The last type of drug is anti-psychotic drugs (e.g. major tranquillizers such as the phenothiazines). These sedate and alleviate symptoms such as hallucinations, of the person suffering from psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. They seem to work by blocking the D2 receptor for dopamine. Another type of therapy is ECT (Electro-convulsive therapy). This is when a patient lies on a bed, in loose clothes, and receives an anaesthetic and muscle relaxant before treatment. ECT involves passing a current (70-130 volts) through the brain for approximately half a second. This is done by fixing electrodes to the patient’s temples. This is now mainly used to treat people with severe depression and treatments are given typically two or three times a week for three r four weeks. Over 11,000 patients in England and Wales were given ECT in 1999 (Johnstone 2003) and two thirds of these patients were women.…

    • 594 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Confidentiality and informed consent are a crucial factor in the field of psychology. Clients expect that they will be able to speak freely, without the fear of being judged, or their information being breached. In 1969, on behalf of the Tarasoff case, the California Supreme Court ruled that therapists be required to protect third parties from harm. Before consenting to treatment, clients are aware of this requirement. They then are allowed to accept or refuse treatment, however, consent is not valid unless it is volunteered.…

    • 798 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    An analysis of Robert Schwartz “Autonomy, Futility, and the Limits of Medicine” reveals that physicians are not required to give patients treatment that has been proven to be effective, and they are not morally obligated to provide treatment that is not in-line with practice of medicine. Schwartz explains although our autonomy is respected, there are limitations on our request.…

    • 818 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    ECT is a valid form of treatment for severe mental illnesses. ECT is considered after all traditional methods had failed ( Arkowitz & Lilienfeld). To qualify for ECT treatment, patients must have a serious mental illness and can not have any physical illness (Davis). Electroshock therapy is not a fast way to get results. It takes multiple ECT sessions to see large improvements. But, ECT has lessened the effects of illnesses like BD and schizophrenia. The pluses adjust the sensitivity of the neurotransmitters in the brain and creates new paths in the brain ( Arkowitz & Lilienfeld).…

    • 97 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Baker Act 10 2013

    • 5119 Words
    • 45 Pages

    Agenda Introduction to related laws Criteria for and initiation of: Risks & Responsibilities Baker Act & Marchman Act Baker Act Involuntary Examinations Marchman Act Involuntary Admissions Emergency Medical Conditions Rights of Persons Training Resources Questions & Answers Baptist Health South Florida October 8, 2013 2 Alternatives to the Baker Act History & Overview Mental Illness Only Marchman Act, Chapter 397 Developmental Disabilities, Chapter 393 History Psychiatric – Not Medical Emergency Examination & Treatment of Incapacitated Persons Act, Chapter 401 Federal EMTALA – Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act & State’s Access to Emergency Services & Care, 395.1041, F.S. 766.103 Florida Medical Consent Law Probate Rule 5.900…

    • 5119 Words
    • 45 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    This paper will include what the insanity statutes are in Ohio, the state that I live in. I will also talk about how often the insanity defense is used in the United States. As well as how successful this defense is. I will also discuss if psychologists should give their ultimate opinion in regards to sanity cases as well as the ethical issues that may rise from their opinions. Lastly, I will discuss how difficult it is to provide adequate psychological care for mentally ill patients while they are incarcerated in prison. The care they would have received had they been institutionalized in a mental hospital instead would have resulted in fewer deaths.…

    • 1349 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Some people view shock therapy equivalent to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Reasonably, certain psychosurgical treatments use methods that seem unconventional. However, many cures are often found from new ways of thinking. Thus, methods that are often stigmatized deserve a fighting chance. When the ethicality of psychosurgical treatments are questioned, it should be based on the effectiveness of the treatment on the patient. Even though, effectiveness is an important factor, the truth lies on getting better. If a treatment is not effective, but has quality standards it would be useless. Psychosurgical treatments such as lobotomy and ECT should be used in order to cure a patient with an extreme disability. The ethicality of any treatment depends…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As adults and human beings we have certain inalienable rights to make decisions regardless of whether they are deemed as poor or inappropriate by others. One must take into consideration the level of understanding and competence a patient possesses to assure they are informed of all options and repercussions; the other must be whether the individual is harming anyone other than themselves by making said decision. Once those issues have been taken into consideration there must be an allowance for an individual to make their own well-informed choice, even though as a practitioner, we may feel it is not in their best interest.…

    • 796 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    According to March and Caple (2014) who conducted an evidence based care sheet on this cause, argued that seclusions and restraints impose on the autonomy of human begins. To support their reasoning, they obtained personal stories from patients affected by this incident. Based off their involvements, many remarked that they suffered from traumatized events throughout the process (March & Caple, 2014). With that being recognized as a credible piece of evidence, it is evident to grasp that their ethical rights were not being morally upheld due to the fact that they are positioned in a pool of having a mental illness. From my defense, March and Caple (2014) proposition does incorporate what my thesis aims because their indications…

    • 650 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    During manic episodes hospitalization may be required. There are also therapies that are used such as family-focused therapy, and psychoeducation which have been effective in relapse prevention. Medications are also used frequently to help with bipolar. They are known as mood stabilizers. Bipolar disorders can be misdiagnosed which can make it hard for treatment. Since the rate of being misdiagnosed is high it is very important for individuals suffering with this to be honest with their doctors about what is going on. Unipolar has a similar management program expect it adds an additional therapy. The management for unipolar depression is psychotherapy, medication, and electroconvulsive therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy is a procedure of pulses of electricity that are sent through the brain through two electrodes. The electrodes are usually one on each temple. It usually induces a seizure while the patient is under general anesthesia. It has been shown that Electroconvulsive therapy has a quicker effect than antidepressant therapy. It is ususlay what is chosen for treatment during an emergency. When electroconvulsive therapy is used alone its relapse rate is high within the first six months. It has been affects for it to be used with antidepressant until the individual has become…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    While it is important to understand the differences in today’s institution compared to their predecessors; it is also critical to take heed of lessons learned. Throughout history mankind has been challenged by how to treat members of society who are different whether these differences are based on physical or mental attributes. As for mental illness, we have entered into an age of new beginnings where the negative aspects of these places are being forgotten and images of safety and happiness for these patients are being…

    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Blaaaaa

    • 3188 Words
    • 13 Pages

    It is important to understand what influences the legal framework of mental health and how this affects the care and treatment of individuals. The Mental Health Act is the law. Case law develops as a result of challenges to the interpretation of that law. The Mental Health Act Code of Practice provides guidance on how practitioners should undertake duties under the Mental Health Act. The guiding principles are based on evidence-based practice and value-based approaches linked to ethical considerations and individual rights. The guiding principles include purpose, least restrictive alternative, respect, participation, and effectiveness, efficiency and equity. Purpose When considering compulsion, decision makers should try to minimise any harm to the individual and other people as…

    • 3188 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Another right that mentally disabled people are entitled to under the mental health care act is not to be subjected to abuse of any kind (Burns, 2011). This right was violated as there were reports that deceased patients had been victims of abuse and maltreatment which ultimately may have led to their deaths and this was discovered by claims and observations made by family members who went to visit the patients in their new institutions (Makgoba, 2017). This rights violation is also tied to the right to no violence (Burns, 2011) and in terms of the life Esidimeni case as moving and mixing people with different forms of psychosis in crowded facilities can result in violent behaviour that is difficult to control without the proper facilities,…

    • 139 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the 1900s people viewed mental illness as a disease of individual weakness or a spiritual disease, in which the mentally ill were sent to asylums. This was a temporary solution in hope to remove “lunatics” from the community. This caused a severe overcrowding, which led to a decline in patient care and reviving the old procedures and medical treatments. Early treatments to cure mental illness were really forms of torture. Asylums used wrist and ankle restraints, ice water baths, shock machines, straightjackets, electro-convulsive therapy, even branding patients, and the notorious lobotomy and “bleeding practice”. These early treatments seen some improvement in patients, although today this eras method of handling the mentally ill is considered barbaric, the majority of people were content because the “lunatics” were no longer visible in society.…

    • 744 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays