Mental Health Watchdog Calls for Electroshock Therapy Ban in Florida

Mental health advocates are intensifying their campaign against electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), calling for a comprehensive ban on the procedure in Florida amid growing concerns about its safety and effectiveness. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) argues that the treatment poses significant risks, particularly for vulnerable populations including children under five years old.

Current statistics indicate approximately 100,000 people undergo ECT annually in the United States. Despite being marketed as a refined medical intervention, the procedure involves delivering up to 460 volts of electricity through a patient's brain, with practitioners unable to definitively explain its mechanism of action.

Critics point to several critical issues surrounding ECT, including the lack of comprehensive FDA-mandated clinical studies proving its safety. Experts like Diane Stein, president of CCHR's Florida chapter, emphasize the potential for severe side effects, including memory loss, confusion, and increased suicide risk. One study suggested ECT patients were 16 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to non-ECT patients.

The controversy extends beyond efficacy concerns, with testimonials from individuals like Ron Bassman, who experienced significant memory loss following shock therapy, highlighting the potential long-term neurological impacts. Legal experts and medical professionals argue that patients are often not fully informed about the potential irreversible consequences of the treatment.

The CCHR's campaign seeks to draw public attention to what they describe as an outdated and dangerous psychiatric practice, demanding greater scrutiny of mental health treatment methodologies and more holistic approaches to addressing psychological distress.