Though there is debate over the effects of electroconvulsive therapy and whether or not it is helpful to those who suffer from severe depression that has remained untreatable with other methods of intervention, I do not consider electroconvulsive therapy unethical; however, I do believe, and I am of the opinion that most medical professionals also agree, that ECT should be implemented only when all other methods of intervention have proved to be unsuccessful. There are patients and professionals who espouse that ECT is in fact helpful, and there are those on the opposite end of the spectrum who believe that it is ineffective and causes irreversible damage to the patient. With any subject, there are people who possess separate views; however, with the limited knowledge I have about ECT, I do not think it is unethical. It would be unethical if a person was forced to undergo the treatment, but having ECT is a choice made together by the patient and doctor who …show more content…
I liked how you referenced ECT's history and how ghastly this method of treatment used to be. In its early stages, ECT was much more of a barbaric form of treatment, not nearly as much as other treatments such as lobotomies and insulin therapy, as well as the other medieval, torture-like devices used to aid persons suffering from mental illness, but it was horrible. Thankfully, professionals have been able to refine this treatment option so that it is not painful and the safety of the patient is more guaranteed. I agree that it would be tremendously difficult to consent to your children to undergo the treatment, and currently, since I have not had the experience of a child with severe depression, I do not think children should be permitted to undergo this procedure. If I were considering the treatment for myself, I would make certain to read all the material gain all the information I could about the procedure and its potential