Madam, – I read with interest your coverage of the annual statistics for the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Ireland. (Home News, December 7th). As always, any discussion of this subject appears to be dominated by those vehemently opposed to this therapy with much use of emotive language such as “barbaric” and “survivors”.
This “analysis” ignores the fact that there are many thousands of people in this country who have benefited and are benefiting from ECT treatment. Their views are rarely heard when this issue is discussed.
Unfortunately, as with other mental illnesses, severe depression can lead to a loss of insight for the sufferer. Some patients may reach a point where they begin to refuse food and water and are literally wasting away in front of their families.
These people will not respond to the “talking therapies” beloved of those who campaign against ECT. Furthermore, in some cases,widely used pharmacological interventions are also found to be ineffective.
In these circumstances ECT can be a life-saving treatment.
It is deeply disappointing that a vocal minority, in many cases apparently motivated by their own negative experiences, campaign so passionately against a proven, effective treatment that has given many people a second chance at life.
In my opinion, if they succeed in having ECT banned in this country, they will achieve nothing more than to cause enormous suffering for many people whose views are not represented in the current “debate”. – Yours, etc,