Thousands of women in the UK are disproportionately prescribed controversial brain-boosting treatments.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used to treat mental health problems such as severe depression, long-term mania, and catatonia.
However, there is growing concern that the treatment may lead to irreversible memory loss.
The scales for which ECT scales are used in the UK have been removed and found to be disproportionately prescribed to women, who make up two-thirds of patients.
NHS data (sourced by Dr John Lady’s Disclosure of Information Act and shown by The Independent) showed that 67% of the 1,964 patients treated in 2019 were women. ..
Dr Redd, a leading ECT expert and professor at the University of East London, and his team found that the treatment is twice as common in women than men with NHS20 in the UK.
Their study also found cases in which the trust followed the treatment in the same year without the consent of approximately 36% of the patients.
The NHS document was only able to provide 16% confidence in detail about the success of ECT, but only 3% confidence in monitoring side effects.
An audit of the ECT Clinic by Dr Reed found that approximately 2,500 patients are treated each year in the UK, 58% of whom are over 60 years of age.
The National Organization for Health Service Evaluation (NICE), which provides treatment recommendations to the NHS, said ECT “only if an immediate response is needed or if other treatments fail”, severe depression that endangers life. It should be considered. “.
A NICE spokesman said: “Patients should be fully aware of the risks associated with ECT and the risks and benefits inherent therein. The decision to use ECT should be made in collaboration with the depressed person whenever possible…
But too much trust ignores the advice, Dr. Lady says, his research finding that many give it to patients before giving them the first choice.
It also argues that the Nice guidelines do not claim that ECT is “just better than placebo” and that they do not identify any risks.
ECT aims to confirm that current is flowing through the brain and increasing electrical activity in the short term, relieving symptoms of certain mental health conditions.
Nice recommends using it for quick, short-term improvements only. You should not rely on it for ongoing treatment.
Public authorities are currently reviewing evidence-based recommendations for adults with complex and chronic depression.
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists guidelines, “the magnitude of long-term side effects is controversial.”
They say: “Strong scientific studies have found no evidence of physical brain injury in patients undergoing ECT.
The most serious and potential long-term side effect of ECT is the possibility of forgetting past events. A small proportion of patients report memory impairment associated with life events that occurred prior to ultrasound therapy. This affects events that occur before or shortly before the onset of depression. All or part of these memories may be restored, but these deficiencies may be permanent.
“A recent study shows that 7% of people with unilateral ECT report permanent memory loss 12 months after ECT.”
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Source: Metro
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