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The History Of Electric Shock Therapy
My Thearapist | 2/10/23 | My Threapist Editorial Therapy

Posted on 05/14/2023 1:39:05 PM PDT by DallasBiff

Electric shock therapy has a long and controversial history as a treatment for many mental health issues. Infamously depicted in the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, electric shock therapy has gained a reputation as a brutal and inhumane punishment for those struggling with their mental health.

This film does indeed portray the reality of a small portion of clients from the early days of electric shock therapy treatment. Even so, the dramatic portrayal of electric shock therapy differs immensely from how the treatment has typically been administered, especially from how it is used in hospitals currently.

Today, electric shock therapy has been shelved in favor of talk therapy and more effective medications. Although it is no longer used as commonly as it was in the past, shock therapy for depression, schizophrenia, mania, and dementia is still widely used by mental health professionals when other types of treatment fail.

So, first, what is shock therapy?


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine; History
KEYWORDS: electricshocktherapy; mentalhealth
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I had a relative, who went through this brutal treatment back in the 50's.

It was discussed once by my mother and like Marge Simpson, and said it will never be discussed again.

Mods pull if too controversial.

1 posted on 05/14/2023 1:39:05 PM PDT by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff

Today, electric shock therapy has been shelved in favor of talk therapy... and opposite sex hormones and genital surgeries.


2 posted on 05/14/2023 1:40:37 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
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To: DallasBiff

Is there a link to the entire article?


3 posted on 05/14/2023 1:41:14 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
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To: DallasBiff

My father in law had it in the 60’s. His wife told me it helped. She told me he was suicidal after coming home from WWII—and had been a mess for years.

I’ve worked at a behavioral health hospital in the 2015-18 years and while it was used, it was very different from the “old days.”


4 posted on 05/14/2023 1:43:41 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: 21twelve

5 posted on 05/14/2023 1:44:35 PM PDT by DallasBiff (Apology not accepted.la is not the sharpest knife in the drawer)
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To: DallasBiff

It can help


6 posted on 05/14/2023 1:45:17 PM PDT by wardaddy (Truth is treason in the Empire of lies)
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To: DallasBiff
Sorry about the missing link.

https://www.mytherapist.com/advice/therapy/the-history-of-electric-shock-therapy/

7 posted on 05/14/2023 1:48:36 PM PDT by DallasBiff (Apology not accepted.la is not the sharpest knife in the drawer)
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To: DallasBiff

Shock Therapy. Better than the good old fashined Frontal Lobotomy.

Just ask Rosemary Kennedy.


8 posted on 05/14/2023 1:50:33 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (Donald Trump is a setting sun. Ron DeSantis is a rising star.)
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To: DallasBiff

Thanks!

Lobotomies were championed by Johns Hopkins early on. As were transgender hormones and surgeries.


9 posted on 05/14/2023 1:57:29 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
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To: Vermont Lt

I worked in a Psychiatric hospital in the 80’s. This hospital did not use ECT at all. If a Psychiatrist ordered it, the patient would be transported to a facility that had the equipment. I worked there 7 years and only saw less than 5 orders.


10 posted on 05/14/2023 1:57:38 PM PDT by PeachyKeen
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To: PeachyKeen

I worked in a psychiatric hospital in the late 60’s and it was used on a daily basis, as was insulin therapy. My mother-in- law underwent shock therapy for years and it rendered her a zombie. She was heavily medicated on top of it.


11 posted on 05/14/2023 2:03:55 PM PDT by surrey
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To: DallasBiff

A friend defeated around 10 interlocks to get to the guts of a sputtering system, got a finger on a 10 Kv 10KHz power supply. His skin nearly vaporized.


12 posted on 05/14/2023 2:07:37 PM PDT by sasquatch
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To: surrey

Just pee on an electric fence if you are feeling depressed. Changes your whole attitude fast.


13 posted on 05/14/2023 2:08:41 PM PDT by oldasrocks (quew)
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To: sasquatch

Semiconductor mfg, not a facility


14 posted on 05/14/2023 2:09:45 PM PDT by sasquatch
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To: surrey

Yes, I’ve heard many horror stories. I’ve never heard of insulin therapy for mental illness. Most common drugs used back then was Thorazine and Lithium.


15 posted on 05/14/2023 2:21:42 PM PDT by PeachyKeen
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To: DallasBiff

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_who_have_undergone_electroconvulsive_therapy


16 posted on 05/14/2023 2:29:13 PM PDT by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: PeachyKeen

I read about using insulin to reduce blood triglycerides.


17 posted on 05/14/2023 2:30:14 PM PDT by TTFX
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To: 21twelve

Not so... ECT is very common today.

They changed the voltage, frequency and methods, but it is very common.


18 posted on 05/14/2023 2:33:21 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings )
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To: DallasBiff

Many Leftists need Shock Therapy...some have had it and need it again, some FR members need it as well.


19 posted on 05/14/2023 2:34:57 PM PDT by dpetty121263
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To: DallasBiff
more effective medications work similar to a short term lobotomy.

The cheap and over the counter methods that usually work:
1. high dose Niacin (Dr Hoffer)
2. Sarcosine which is a GlyT1 inhibitor
3. Aminobutyric acid
20 posted on 05/14/2023 2:44:58 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric Cartman voice* 'I love you, guys')
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