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

Thank you for tuning into the Life After ECT Podcast. Life After ECT Inc. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organazation focused on improving the quality of life for those injured by ECT. 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/1LrUHhroyOX66T7FUQ0iytyfNoCzmqKN91PQ0LfiKeBI/edit?usp=sharing Correction: The law firm is now Wisner & Baum, not Baum Headlund

Disenfranchised grief: the unseen pain of those disabled by electroconvulsive therapy In this podcast, I talk about the grief that people disabled by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may experience, which often goes unrecognized. I want to clarify that I am not a mental health professional but someone who has gone through this experience, sharing what has helped my ongoing recovery. (see full disclaimer) Resources mentioned in the episode: https://lifeafterect.com/disenfranchised-grief-the-unseen-pain-of-those-disabled-by-electroconvulsive-therapy-ect/ Support our mission: https://lifeafterect.com/donate/ Sign our patient safety petition: https://www.change.org/p/standardize-regulate-audit-shock-treatments-electroconvulsive-therapy-or-ect

Linda Andre Testimony - Vermont House Bill H12, Informed consent to electroconvulsive therapy, 1999 Testimony date: 2000 ⁠⁠Links to Linda's Work⁠ If you can, please consider supporting Linda's son's GoFund me to cover funeral expenses and preserve her library of research. ⁠⁠Fundraiser by Alandra Markman : Linda Andre's Legacy (gofundme.com)⁠⁠  ( https://www.gofundme.com/f/linda-andre )

Linda Andre Testimony - Vermont House Bill H12, Informed consent to electroconvulsive therapy, 1999 Testimony date: 2000 ⁠Links to Linda's Work If you can, please consider supporting Linda's son's GoFund me to cover funeral expenses and preserve her library of research. ⁠Fundraiser by Alandra Markman : Linda Andre's Legacy (gofundme.com)⁠  ( https://www.gofundme.com/f/linda-andre )

An Interview with Linda Andre by Philip Bennet, recorded several years ago (the recording date was not included in the file). In it they discuss her book, Doctors of Deception, What they Don't Want You to Know About Shock Treatment. Our community has recently suffered a great loss. Linda Andre, author of one of the most important books on ECT ever written, passed away this month. Linda was my hero. I first came across her work while desperately searching the Internet for answers when ECT damaged my brain and my doctors refused to believe me. Reading her presentation "Electroconvulsive Therapy as a Head Injury" changed my life. Her work showed me that ECT can cause permanent brain damage and those affected by ECT are routinely denied testing and rehabilitation, as was the case with me. Linda showed me the hope of recovery through the stories of people who found a way to recover when doctors couldn't help them. There is so much I want to say about Linda, but after ECT, the right words are always so hard to find. Until I can write a full tribute post I wanted to do something so I recorded a small tribute to ger along with her second inteview with Philip Bennet. In it they sumarize key points from her book. Find links and resources and tributes to Linda Andre in the show notes.

Have you experienced any unexpected problems after undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)? Have you faced difficulties in convincing your doctor to refer you for testing and rehabilitation? You're not alone. For over 80 years that ECT has been in use, people have reported disabling side effects. Despite decades of ECT's use, no mandatory standards have been established to ensure that individuals can receive comprehensive testing and rehabilitation if necessary. View the ⁠⁠⁠#AuditECT petition⁠⁠⁠. In 2016, there was an opportunity to address this issue when the FDA attempted to reclassify the ECT device. The FDA's proposed guidance included mandatory neuropsychological testing for those undergoing treatment. However, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), a professional organization representing 36,000 psychiatric physicians, opposed the idea of mandated testing. Eventually, when the reclassification was finalized, the original proposed testing mandates were abandoned. There are people who underwent ECT many years ago and have never undergone a neuropsychological evaluation, not to mention the countless people who have recently undergone electroshock therapy. With an estimated 2 million people worldwide undergoing ECT each year, a staggering number of individuals will continue to struggle to access appropriate testing and treatment for disabilities caused by ECT and other health issues related to electrical injury. See show notes for links and resources.

Many harmed by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) want to protect themselves from forced ECT in the future. One way to do this is by creating a psychiatric advanced directive (PAD), which is a document that outlines their wishes regarding psychiatric treatment. Content warnings: In this episode I briefly discuss forced treatment, unmodified ECT, and the limits of advanced directives. Be sure to practice self care if any of these topics are disressing to you. Learn more about psychiactric advanced directives, forced and unmodified ECT in the show notes.

There are so many things I wish I had known before having ECT. The following are the focus of this episode: Like how my doctors would treat me after being disabled by the procedure The "new and improved" safety measures aren't as effective as advertised ECT's lasting impact on how the brain processes vision That ECT doctors don't know much about electricity or what it does to the human body Some people will experience serious disabling conditions from the electricity used to cause a seizure citations and resources 5 Things I wish I knew before having ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)

There are so many things I wish I had known before having ECT. The following are the focus of this episode: Like how my doctors would treat me after being disabled by the procedureThe "new and improved" safety measures aren't as effective as advertisedECT's lasting impact on how the brain processes visionThat ECT doctors don't know much about electricity or what it does to the human bodySome people will experience serious disabling conditions from the electricity used to cause a seizure citations and resources ⁠5 Things I wish I knew before having ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)

This is a presentation by Sarah Price Hancock for the Stop Depression Summit, 2023. ⁠https://stopdepressionsummit.com/⁠  Show notes and links https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EWo9lkpuK2lU4roaMYumZ8fJ6ujM4UKc_IBvsOnskfk/edit?usp=sharing About Sarah Sarah lived for nearly two decades, misdiagnosed with severe “treatment resistant” mental illness. She was given⁠ ⁠116 bilateral ECT treatments⁠⁠ and now lives with Delayed Electrical Injury’s Myoneural Disorder. Sarah holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and taught for four years in San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program. She also hosts The Emotional Self-Reliance Podcast and guest lectures on psychiatric recovery. She founded a newly formed nonprofit, The ⁠⁠Ionic Injury Foundation⁠⁠, with a focus on electrical injury research. Donate to her fundraiser ⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/ionic-injury-foundation?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1⁠ Learn how you can participate in⁠ ⁠electrical injury research⁠⁠. Learn about⁠ ⁠Sarah’s campaign⁠⁠ to ensure those harmed by ECT get the help they need and future ECT patients are protected through standardization and regulation.

This is a presentation by Sarah Price Hancock for the Stop Depression Summit, 2023. ⁠⁠https://stopdepressionsummit.com/⁠⁠  Show notes and links ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EWo9lkpuK2lU4roaMYumZ8fJ6ujM4UKc_IBvsOnskfk/edit?usp=sharing⁠ About Sarah Sarah lived for nearly two decades, misdiagnosed with severe “treatment resistant” mental illness. She was given⁠⁠ ⁠116 bilateral ECT treatments⁠⁠⁠ and now lives with Delayed Electrical Injury’s Myoneural Disorder. Sarah holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and taught for four years in San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program. She also hosts The Emotional Self-Reliance Podcast and guest lectures on psychiatric recovery. She founded a newly formed nonprofit, The ⁠⁠⁠Ionic Injury Foundation⁠⁠⁠, with a focus on electrical injury research. Donate to her fundraiser ⁠⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/ionic-injury-foundation?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1⁠⁠ Learn how you can participate in⁠⁠ ⁠electrical injury research⁠⁠⁠. Learn about⁠⁠ ⁠Sarah’s campaign⁠⁠⁠ to ensure those harmed by ECT get the help they need and future ECT patients are protected through standardization and regulation.

Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state. This is the testimony of Emily Stanton, a concerned mental health advocate, regarding this bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process. Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023 C G A (ct.gov) 2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov) 2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov) Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube

Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023 This is the testimony of ECT survivor Jill Edwards regarding a new ECT bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process. C G A (ct.gov) 2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov) 2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov) Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state.

Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023 C G A (ct.gov) 2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov) 2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov) Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube More works by Professor Read John Read and Irving Kirsch – Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Does the Evidence From Clinical Trials Justify its Continued Use? – Mad in the UK A second independent audit of electroconvulsive therapy in England, 2019: Usage, demographics, consent, and adherence to guidelines and legislation  Why aren’t patients being told truth about electric shock therapy?

Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state. This is the testimony of ECT survivor and attorney Kathy Flaherty regarding a new ECT bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process.  View written testimony 2023SB-00898-R000201-Flaherty, Kathy, Executive Director-Connecticut Legal Rights Project-Opposes-TMY.PDF. Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023 C G A (ct.gov) 2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov) 2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov) Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube

Bill SB898 Public Health Hearings, Connecticut  Chris Dubey is a survivor of forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).  Read his written testimony We Must Not Remove Legal Protections for People at Risk of Forced ECT - Mad In America Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023 C G A (ct.gov) 2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov) 2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov) Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube

Connecticut Public Health Hearings on SB898 ECT, February 1st, 2023 C G A (ct.gov) 2023SB-00898-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov) 2021 Senate Bill 898 (wisconsin.gov) Public Health Committee Public Hearing - YouTube The state of Connecticut held public hearings on several bills that would impact forced electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in that state. This is the testimony of Sarah Price Hancock, MS, CRC, regarding a new ECT bill in Connecticut that extends the timeframe a patient deemed unable to consent can be forcibly given electroshock and eliminates the probate court process.  Sarah lived for nearly two decades, misdiagnosed with severe “treatment resistant” mental illness. She was given 116 bilateral ECT treatments and now lives with Delayed Electrical Injury’s Myoneural Disorder. Sarah holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and taught for four years in San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program. She also hosts The Emotional Self-Reliance Podcast and guest lectures on psychiatric recovery. She founded a newly formed nonprofit, The Ionic Injury Foundation, with a focus on electrical injury research. Learn how you can participate in electrical injury research. Learn about Sarah’s campaign to ensure those harmed by ECT get the help they need and future ECT patients are protected through standardization and regulation.

Electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ) destroyed my life but I’m not allowed to say it. If I do I get treated like a crazy liar. I’m accused of stigmatizing mentally Ill people who depend on ECT for survival. Some call me anti- science, others have called me a religious extremist. I've been told to shut up and stop complaining, that I “knew what I was getting into” when I agreed to have shock therapy. I did not because I was a minor who was not given full informed consent. And let's be honest, ECT consent for minors is an illusion, anyways; brain development doesn't stop till early 20’s. As for consent, I was told ECT, once controversial, was now a legitimate, science based treatment that can be life saving. “It’s not like One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest Anymore, the mantra goes.” For risks I was told ECT was safe, effective and did not cause brain damage. I was told any memory problems I had were temporary. None of this was true. I have brain & nervous system damage from ECT. I Am severely disabled. Now 13 years after my last treatment I am showing signs of neurodegeneration in my 30s ala long term sequelae of electrical injury. ECT defenders demand it be treated like a legitimate medical procedure but they don’t apply those same standards to themselves. If a patient has a known side effect the doctor acknowledges and treats it. Think of a surgeon taking post-op x-rays and writing physical therapy referrals for a knee replacement patient to get them walking after the trauma surgery. Doctors refused to believe me when I was suffering dangerous, debilitating, known side-effects from shock treatment. Eventually I got tested and have been diagnosed with chronic encephalopathy, anterior grade amnesia, working memory deficit– all evidence of brain damage. I still can't get any doctors to help treat these progressive injuries that are becoming life threatening. Seizures, heart abnormalities, acquired channelopathies, etc. Yet I’m not allowed to speak my truth. I’m not allowed to raise awareness that I was harmed and will die without correct medical care. What's worse? I’m not an outlier; I’ve met hundreds of injured ECT patients with similar outcomes and read even more accounts of serious disability from electroshock. Their doctors won't help them. They can't work, can't take care of themselves, and don't remember what they ate for breakfast. The trauma, confusion of brain damage and gaslignitng leaves many of us suicidal.  We're constantly told we’re imagining things, ECT doesn't do that, it's your mental illness, get over it, you chose this, stop stigmatizing people who need ECT.