Life After ECT

By Life After ECT Inc.

The Life After ECT podcast explores the often-overlooked realities of Electroconvulsive Therapy. Hosted by Anna, who experienced psychiatric treatment in childhood and ECT as a teen, the show examines... more

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FAQs about Life After ECT:

How many episodes does Life After ECT have?

The podcast currently has 48 episodes available.

Life After ECT episodes:

September 26, 2023 The American Psychiatric Association (APA) opposed mandatory neuropsychological testing for patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Have you experienced any unexpected problems after undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)? Have you faced difficulties in convincing your doctor to refer you for testing and rehabilitation?
You're not alone. For over 80 years that ECT has been in use, people have reported disabling side effects. Despite decades of ECT's use, no mandatory standards have been established to ensure that individuals can receive comprehensive testing and rehabilitation if necessary. View the ⁠⁠⁠#AuditECT petition⁠⁠⁠.
In 2016, there was an opportunity to address this issue when the FDA attempted to reclassify the ECT device. The FDA's proposed guidance included mandatory neuropsychological testing for those undergoing treatment. However, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), a professional organization representing 36,000 psychiatric physicians, opposed the idea of mandated testing.
Eventually, when the reclassification was finalized, the original proposed testing mandates were abandoned.
There are people who underwent ECT many years ago and have never undergone a neuropsychological evaluation, not to mention the countless people who have recently undergone electroshock therapy. With an estimated 2 million people worldwide undergoing ECT each year, a staggering number of individuals will continue to struggle to access appropriate testing and treatment for disabilities caused by ECT and other health issues related to electrical injury.
See show notes for links and resources.
...more
11min
August 25, 2023 Psychiactric advanced directives -- a defense against forced ECT?
Many harmed by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) want to protect themselves from forced ECT in the future.
One way to do this is by creating a psychiatric advanced directive (PAD), which is a document that outlines their wishes regarding psychiatric treatment.

Content warnings: In this episode I briefly discuss forced treatment, unmodified ECT, and the limits of advanced directives. Be sure to practice self care if any of these topics are disressing to you.
Learn more about psychiactric advanced directives, forced and unmodified ECT in the show notes.
...more
5min
April 17, 2023 Five things I wish I knew before having ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) audio
There are so many things I wish I had known before having ECT. The following are the focus of this episode:
Like how my doctors would treat me after being disabled by the procedure
The "new and improved" safety measures aren't as effective as advertised
ECT's lasting impact on how the brain processes vision
That ECT doctors don't know much about electricity or what it does to the human body
Some people will experience serious disabling conditions from the electricity used to cause a seizure
citations and resources
5 Things I wish I knew before having ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)
...more
4min
April 17, 20235 Things I wish I knew before having ECT - Video
There are so many things I wish I had known before having ECT. The following are the focus of this episode:
Like how my doctors would treat me after being disabled by the procedure

The "new and improved" safety measures aren't as effective as advertised

ECT's lasting impact on how the brain processes vision

That ECT doctors don't know much about electricity or what it does to the human body

Some people will experience serious disabling conditions from the electricity used to cause a seizure
citations and resources ⁠5 Things I wish I knew before having ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)
...more
3min
April 13, 2023 The long-term consequences of a depression treatment regaining favor & popularity: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Video
This is a presentation by Sarah Price Hancock for the Stop Depression Summit, 2023. ⁠https://stopdepressionsummit.com/⁠
Show notes and links
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EWo9lkpuK2lU4roaMYumZ8fJ6ujM4UKc_IBvsOnskfk/edit?usp=sharing
About Sarah
Sarah lived for nearly two decades, misdiagnosed with severe “treatment resistant” mental illness. She was given⁠ ⁠116 bilateral ECT treatments⁠⁠ and now lives with Delayed Electrical Injury’s Myoneural Disorder.
Sarah holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and taught for four years in San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program. She also hosts The Emotional Self-Reliance Podcast and guest lectures on psychiatric recovery.
She founded a newly formed nonprofit, The ⁠⁠Ionic Injury Foundation⁠⁠, with a focus on electrical injury research. Donate to her fundraiser ⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/ionic-injury-foundation?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1⁠
Learn how you can participate in⁠ ⁠electrical injury research⁠⁠.
Learn about⁠ ⁠Sarah’s campaign⁠⁠ to ensure those harmed by ECT get the help they need and future ECT patients are protected through standardization and regulation.

...more
21min
April 13, 2023 The long-term consequences of a depression treatment regaining favor & popularity: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
This is a presentation by Sarah Price Hancock for the Stop Depression Summit, 2023. ⁠⁠https://stopdepressionsummit.com/⁠⁠
Show notes and links
⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EWo9lkpuK2lU4roaMYumZ8fJ6ujM4UKc_IBvsOnskfk/edit?usp=sharing⁠
About Sarah
Sarah lived for nearly two decades, misdiagnosed with severe “treatment resistant” mental illness. She was given⁠⁠ ⁠116 bilateral ECT treatments⁠⁠⁠ and now lives with Delayed Electrical Injury’s Myoneural Disorder.
Sarah holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and taught for four years in San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program. She also hosts The Emotional Self-Reliance Podcast and guest lectures on psychiatric recovery.
She founded a newly formed nonprofit, The ⁠⁠⁠Ionic Injury Foundation⁠⁠⁠, with a focus on electrical injury research. Donate to her fundraiser ⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/ionic-injury-foundation?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1⁠⁠
Learn how you can participate in⁠⁠ ⁠electrical injury research⁠⁠⁠.
Learn about⁠⁠ ⁠Sarah’s campaign⁠⁠⁠ to ensure those harmed by ECT get the help they need and future ECT patients are protected through standardization and regulation.

...more
18min
March 15, 2023 Testimony of Emily Stanton - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut (Forced ECT)
Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut
The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state.
This is the testimony of Emily Stanton, a concerned mental health advocate, regarding this bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process.
Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023
C G A (ct.gov)
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov)
Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube
...more
5min
March 06, 2023 Testimony of Jill Edwards - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Conneticut (Forced ECT)
Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023
This is the testimony of ECT survivor Jill Edwards regarding a new ECT bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process.
C G A (ct.gov)
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov)
Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube
The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state.
...more
10min
February 28, 2023Testimony of Professor John Read - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Conneticut (Forced ECT)
Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023
C G A (ct.gov)
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov)
Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube
More works by Professor Read
John Read and Irving Kirsch – Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Does the Evidence From Clinical Trials Justify its Continued Use? – Mad in the UK

A second independent audit of electroconvulsive therapy in England, 2019: Usage, demographics, consent, and adherence to guidelines and legislation

Why aren’t patients being told truth about electric shock therapy?
...more
7min
February 20, 2023 Testimony of Attorney Kathy Flaherty - Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Conneticut (Forced ECT)
Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut
The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state.
This is the testimony of ECT survivor and attorney Kathy Flaherty regarding a new ECT bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process.
View written testimony 2023SB-00898-R000201-Flaherty, Kathy, Executive Director-Connecticut Legal Rights Project-Opposes-TMY.PDF.
Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023
C G A (ct.gov)
2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov)
2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov)
Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube
...more
44min

FAQs about Life After ECT:

How many episodes does Life After ECT have?

The podcast currently has 48 episodes available.