In this episode, we close out this series by exploring how harm from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been discussed—and often dismissed—over time.

We trace patient experiences from the 1950s through the patient-rights movement, and talk about how informedconsent came to shape what happens after patients report problems.

We explore what it looks like when ECT recipients do get testing, how patients are described in early research and modern textbooks, and end with unanswered emails from ECT survivors asking for evaluation—and what that silence tells us.

Content Warnings

• Forced ECT

• Abuse

• Medical gaslighting

Feel free to skip this episode if these topics are distressing to you.

Fair Use Disclaimer

This episode includes brief excerpts from copyrighted books, publications, podcasts, and public records for purposes of commentary, criticism, education, and public interest journalism under fair use (Section107, U.S. Copyright Act).

This episode discusses medical practices, patient experiences, and systemic issues in healthcare for educational purposes. All cited materials remain the property of their respective copyright holders.This use is transformative and does not substitute for the original works. We encourage listeners to support the original creators.

SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10k5c4FGMbwAS-oCdIe9x0bmxYF4MmFYC/view?usp=sharing

Life After ECT Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of those harmed by ECT through advocacy, education, and research.Learn how you can support our work.

🎵 Music Credits:

Intro/Outro:"Naya Instrumental" by Tomh

Artist:@tomh_music

Track:https://soundcloud.com/tomh_music/naya-instrumental

Used under free license with attribution

#Breakingcodesilence #ISeeYouSurvivor

Why are people harmed by ECT so often ignored — even when they reach out directly to researchers?

Content Warnings: Brief mention if abuse and suicide.

In this episode, we continue reading emails from injured ECT patients who reached out to government-funded researcher Harold Sackeim, only to have their pleas for help ignored.

Sackeim had publicly invited people experiencing memory problems after ECT to contact him—but, according to author Linda Andre, he later testified that he discarded 175 of those messages.

Through these stories, we dig deeper into the history of why people harmed by ECT are so often not beleived. 

this is for educational purposes only. I’m not a medical professional, and nothing here should be taken as medical advice. I’m sharing my understanding of the public record and other published works on this topic.

Show Notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C_PesMA4_CFCPkLXojJWSjP8ipq9SGTGo2r5KBeo5Oo/edit?usp=sharing

🎵 Music Credits:

Intro/Outro: "Naya Instrumental" by Tomh

Artist: @tomh_music

Track: https://soundcloud.com/tomh_music/naya-instrumental

Used under free license with attribution

In this episode, we continue reading emails from injured ECT patients who reached out to government-funded researcher Harold Sackeim, only to have their pleas for help ignored.

Sackeim had publicly invited people experiencing memory problems after ECT to contact him—but, according to author Linda Andre, he later testified that he discarded 175 of those messages.

Through these stories, we dig deeper into the history of why people harmed by ECT are so often dismissed and disbelieved.

Show Notes

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C_PesMA4_CFCPkLXojJWSjP8ipq9SGTGo2r5KBeo5Oo/edit?usp=sharing

Life After ECT Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of those harmed by ECT through advocacy, education, and research. Learn how you can support our work.

If you’re struggling after ECT, you’re not alone.

I’m Anna, a childhood psychiatric drug and teen electroshock survivor. After my brain was damaged by ECT in 2006, I was met with silence and denial from the medical system.

That’s why I founded Life After ECT—the first nonprofit dedicated to helping survivors through advocacy, education, and research.

On this channel you’ll find video essays, survivor stories, expert talks, and resources to help you understand your injuries and start rebuilding your life.

Learn more at LifeAfterECT.org

In this episode, we revisit a 2010 FDA letter by Linda Andre, and emails from ECT survivors who reached out to goverment funded researcher, Harold Sackeim, for help.

Sackeim had publicly invited people experiencing memory problems after ECT to contact him—but according to Linda Andre, he later testified that he discarded messages from 175 patients who wrote to him asking for help.

Show Notes

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1https://docs.google.com/document/d/1csy4Ah-34c0TIkilOpNBFfXHiQ72fLYgRLHTMk0NBSQ/edit?usp=sharing

Life After ECT Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of those harmed by ECT through advocacy, education, and research.

Learn how you can support our work.

This video is for anyone who feels like they lost a part of themselves after ECT. I want to give voice to the unseen challenges so many face after electroconvulsive therapy.

My hope is that it will help you know that your

This video was originally uploaded to YouTube in 2016.

Resources: ⁠https://lifeafterect.com/resources/

Learn how you can help all who undergo ECT live their best life by supporting reforms that will ensure informed consent, rehab if recipients need it, and more https://www.change.org/p/standardize-regulate-audit-shock-treatments-electroconvulsive-therapy-or-ect⁠

⁠https://lifeafterect.com/donate⁠

This video is for anyone who feels like they lost a part of themselves after ECT.

I want to give voice to the unseen challenges so many face after electroconvulsive therapy.

My hope is that it will help you know that your

This video was originally uploaded to YouTube in 2016.

Grief After ECT: https://lifeafterect.com/disenfranchised-grief-the-unseen-pain-of-those-disabled-by-electroconvulsive-therapy-ect/Resources: https://lifeafterect.com/resources/

Get Involved

Learn how you can help support people harmed by ECT

https://www.change.org/p/standardize-regulate-audit-shock-treatments-electroconvulsive-therapy-or-ect

https://lifeafterect.com/donate

12/6/24

Update: David Russel has been released!

The following is an update on forced drugging and ECT hearings.

Content Warnings:

Show Notes

Life After ECT, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)

Does Electroconvulsive Therapy have a place in 21st century evidence-based medicine?

Dr. John Read is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of East London. He has published over 180 research papers and in 2022 was listed in Stanford University's register of the top 2% most cited

He has published six reviews of the ECT research literature (including four in peer-reviewed journals) and made multiple commentaries on the research.

His most recent peer-reviewed review of the ECT literature was a 40-page paper, in 2019, written with Professor Irving Kirsch, Associate Director of Placebo Studies at Harvard Medical School.

He is also the lead researcher on two independent audits of the administration and monitoring of ECT in England's Health Service and co-author of three studies of the accuracy of information provided to ECT patients and their families.

https://www.uel.ac.uk/about-uel/staff/john-read⁠

His latest research:

https://lifeafterect.com/participate-in-groundbreaking-research-share-your-experience-with-electroconvulsive-therapy-in-the-sectaff-survey/

This presentation was in colaboration with

https://www.nlb.ie/campaigns/mental-health

Full presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY5CTuMbW2w&t=2s

David Russell is an involuntarily committed patient at the Minnesota Mayo Clinic, who has been subjected to forced electroshock therapy (ECT) against his will.

His case has drawn significant attention and advocacy efforts fromMindFreedom International⁠, an organization focused on human rights in mental health care.

Read David’s full story here:⁠https://mindfreedom.org/front-page/david-russell/⁠

Show Notes https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k2m7mZle83Snh_owlJ3B5NbrrkM6mqvg3FV3Z_HGSG8/edit?usp=sharing