And my position on this? I can certainly attest to observing the therapeutic effectiveness of ECT with depression. As a young student I vividly recall meeting a patient who suffered depression so profound that she had stopped eating, drinking, was hallucinating and could no longer effectively communicate. After just two or three treatments with ECT the effect was both dramatic and impressive. The person had put on some weight, was talking eloquently and expressing very positive thoughts about her current state and what the future held in store. Faced with this situation and the apparent lack of any alternative treatments, I found myself persuaded that ECT has its place. Then again, I have seen patients arrive for what seems to be their umpteenth treatment who, to my mind, appear little different afterwards than they did before.

I'm certainly aware of other views but I have concerns about people being described as ‘ECT survivors'. Sure, ECT has wrongly been applied, and this is acknowledged by psychiatrists as well as psychologists. I also have every sympathy with people who believe they were damaged as a result of ECT, because I do believe this is possible. However, this is something of a cost/benefit issue. We know that ECT has benefits and we know there are costs. I continue with my belief that unless and until suitable alternatives can be made available, circumstances still remain where the benefits appear to outweigh the costs.