The Shocking Truth Behind ECT: A Dark Chapter in Mental Health Care

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is once again thrust into the spotlight, revealing a disturbing reality about the treatment of mental illness in America. This method, which involves delivering up to 150 volts to a patient’s brain to induce a seizure, has long been criticized for its brutal approach to managing conditions like depression. The fact that this archaic and dangerous procedure is still being widely used speaks volumes about the failures of our healthcare system, which seems more interested in profits than the wellbeing of patients.

For roughly $2000 to $2500 per treatment, ECT is a multibillion-dollar industry, subsidized by Medicaid, Medicare, and the VA system. This is a glaring example of how government involvement in healthcare can lead to the perpetuation of ineffective and barbaric practices. Instead of seeking genuine solutions, the system churns out treatment plans that often involve dozens of sessions, rarely addressing the underlying issues and only serving to fill the pockets of providers.

What makes this situation even more alarming is ECT’s lack of scientific validation. Despite being controversial and compared to forms of torture in other countries, we see this treatment still being inflicted on our citizens, including vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women. The United Nations has labeled this practice a human rights abuse, highlighting just how out of touch these so-called treatments are with basic human dignity and care.

Moreover, ECT has never received FDA approval and was simply grandfathered into practice due to a loophole in regulations. The FDA’s downgrading of its risk classification is dizzying; reducing it from high-risk to moderate-risk implies that a treatment posing grave dangers does not warrant stringent oversight. The reality is more sinister, as ECT can cause permanent brain damage, memory loss, and even increase risks of suicide, leaving many patients worse off than before.

The sheer facts about ECT should enrage every American. It’s no exaggeration to say that this treatment involves inducing seizures that can lead to cardiac arrest and other life-threatening conditions. Witnessing patients emerge from treatment as shells of their former selves—stripped of personality, humor, and creativity—is a tragedy we can no longer accept. Neurologists have noted the irreversible damage that ECT can inflict, which should ignite a fire under our political leaders to advocate for safer, evidence-based alternatives.

Thankfully, there are better, natural approaches to addressing depression that don’t involve shocking a person’s brain. Instead of resorting to outdated and harmful methods, we should strengthen awareness of lifestyle changes—like proper nutrition, exercise, and mental health support—that can significantly improve mental well-being. Increasing vitamins and adopting a low-carb diet are far safer and more effective ways to tackle these issues.

In a nation that prides itself on liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we cannot allow barbaric treatments like ECT to persist. It’s time for patriots to raise their voices and demand an end to such practices, calling for a healthcare system that respects the dignity of its patients and prioritizes genuine healing over profit. By advocating for sensible, natural alternatives and holding our leaders accountable, we can pave the way for a more compassionate and effective approach to mental health issues in America.