Sep 26 2023 10 mins 1
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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lifeafterect/message
