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

The following is a Presentation by Professor John Read given in March 2024.

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 researchers in the world.

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 Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR)

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

Welcome to the Life After ECT podcast!

In this episode, we discuss:

- The reality of forced ECT still happening today.

- MindFreedom International's Shield Program, which helps protect against unwanted psychiatric treatment.

- The importance of psychiatric advance directives to formally assert your treatment preferences.

Learn how these resources can help you or a loved one, and how you can get involved in advocating for human rights in mental health care.

Disclaimers

Life After ECT Inc. is not directly affilated with Mindfreedom International -- we believe they are an invaluble human rights resource and want to make those at risk of forced treatment aware of the support they offer.

About Life After ECT Inc.

Life After ECT Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) charitble organazation dedicated to improving the lives of those harmed by electroconvulsive therapy through education, advocacy and research. Learn more about what we do and how you can support our work: Looking to a Brighter Future for Those Harmed by ECT

Show Notes

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FAbX1qa0Z7UQz8vN47dx22ZPHyE1x5ZanWqsiJ73cBo/edit?usp=sharinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1FAbX1qa0Z7UQz8vN47dx22ZPHyE1x5ZanWqsiJ73cBo/edit?usp=sharing