Endured prolonged solitude in my chamber, silenced and sobbing.
In a significantly impactful account shared on the podcast "What's That Voice?", Anabela Alves, a 60-year-old woman who had endured years of depression following her son's demise, detailed her transformation after undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). The treatment, often historically known as "electroshocks" or "electric shocks," seems to have significantly improved her quality of life.
Ms. Alves reported feeling as though she has returned to her former self, enjoying life again, and finding joy in her daily activities. She attributed these positive changes to the ECT, which has shown remarkably high effectiveness in treating severe, treatment-resistant depression. According to Pedro Frias, a long-tenured psychiatrist at the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Beja Hospital, ECT has average symptom remission rates above 75% and response rates above 80%.
ECT's transformative effects on severe depression are attributed to the induced controlled seizure, believed to cause alterations in brain chemistry that swiftly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions. The modern iteration of ECT is considerably safer than its early incarnations, employing anesthesia to minimize physical discomfort and using less aggressive electrical administration to protect brain tissue. The equipment has also been updated to ensure safer procedures.
However, ECT persists in facing a persistent stigma. Psychiatrist Pedro Frias asserted that there is still a significant amount of prejudice against the treatment within patient communities, their families, and society at large. People fear the unknown and the use of the term "shocks," which generates a fear response.
The podcast episode also addressed the risks and secondary effects of ECT, its utilization in public services, and comparison with other treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). In this season of "What's That Voice?", journalists Joana Pereira Bastos and Helena Bento delve into emotions such as guilt, shame, or anger, discussing real cases and consulting specialists in the field of mental health. Listeners can find more episodes on the show's platform.
Ms. Alves credited Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for her improved mental health and return to an active, joyful life, with average symptom remission rates above 75% and response rates above 80% as reported by psychiatrist Pedro Frias. However, ECT continues to face a stigma due to historical misconceptions and the term "shocks," leading to persistent prejudice within patient communities, families, and society at large.
