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ECT Left Woman with Memory Gaps
25 Apr
Summary
- Woman reports significant memory loss after electroconvulsive therapy.
- ECT treatment allegedly caused harm to her and her family.
- Study suggests over a third of relatives reported brain damage from ECT.
A woman from Northern Ireland has reported severe memory loss following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) received on the NHS. Between 2009 and 2016, she underwent six ECT sessions for depression, but claims the treatment led to significant gaps in her memory, preventing her from recalling key life events.
She stated that she cannot remember her wedding day or important moments from her children's lives, finding this particularly distressing. The mother-of-two was diagnosed with complex PTSD and a dissociative disorder in 2020, after previously being on multiple psychiatric medications.
Research, including a study she co-authored, surveyed 286 relatives of ECT recipients. The findings revealed that 34% believed the treatment caused brain damage and two-thirds reported a diminished quality of life for patients.
Experts and patient advocates are calling for greater transparency and more research into ECT's efficacy and risks. Some MPs in 2023 demanded a review due to concerns about irreversible brain damage and its disproportionate use on women. Mental health charity Mind also questions the evidence base for ECT, suggesting it is sometimes offered before other therapies, contrary to guidelines.
A NICE spokesperson clarified that ECT is recommended only in restricted circumstances, not as a first-line treatment, and requires thorough risk-benefit assessment and informed consent. The Department of Health and Social Care stated that patient safety is paramount and guidance from NICE is followed.
