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ECT: Women Report Worse Outcomes Than Men
20 Aug
Summary
- Women patients report worse outcomes than men following ECT.
- A study found women are more likely to face coercion for ECT.
- Memory loss and other side effects are significant concerns.
A comprehensive international study involving 858 participants from 44 countries has highlighted critical gender-based differences in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) outcomes. Published on August 10, the research indicates that women patients are less likely to experience mood improvement and more prone to suffering worse side effects, including both short- and long-term memory loss, compared to men.
Further findings reveal that women are more than twice as likely to receive ECT and reported higher rates of coercion to consent to the procedure. Despite ECT's effectiveness for treatment-resistant conditions, concerns about its side effects, such as memory impairment and confusion, remain significant, particularly for women.
Personal accounts from individuals like Lisa Morrison and Paris Jackson underscore the profound impact of ECT, emphasizing memory loss and emotional distress. The study advocates for updated research, improved patient information, and potentially stronger regulatory oversight for ECT.
