Studies have shown that ECT’s harmful effects include irreversible brain damage and memory loss. Many psychiatrists continue to subject people to this barbaric “treatment,” in blatant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims that an individual shall be free from “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.” Based on investigatory reports presented by CCHR, the Piemonte Parliament in Italy issued a unanimous resolution (top right) to ban the use of ECT on children, pregnant women and the elderly.

CCHR continues to document that many of today’s psychiatric practices result in mental incapacity and physical injury. Among the most debilitating is electro-convulsive therapy. ECT was first used on humans in 1938 by Italian psychiatrist Ugo Cerletti after he observed pigs being prepared for slaughter by use of strong electric shocks. Cerletti’s “treatment” produced a severe grand mal convulsion of long duration through the application of 180-460 volts across the brain. This routinely caused bone-breaking convulsions until muscle relaxing drugs suppressed the physical impact on other parts of the body.

The use of these drugs, however, has not made ECT any less destructive to the patient’s health and well-being. Studies have shown that its harmful effects include irreversible brain damage and memory loss. In blatant violation of Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,” many psychiatrists continue to subject people to this barbaric “treatment.”

CCHR’s opposition to ECT has been relentless. In 1976, CCHR members caused a magisterial inquiry into the use of ECT on children as a form of behaviour modification and punishment by New Zealand psychiatrists. As a result, this damaging practice was stopped. In September 1993, through CCHR’s work, the state of Texas passed a law against ECT, forcing psychiatrists to warn their patients in writing of its potential to cause death and permanent memory loss. Along with other constraints, psychiatrists are today mandated to furnish autopsy reports on any deaths within 14 days of ECT administration. At least 16 Texas psychiatric facilities have subsequently stopped using electroshock. Due to CCHR’s work, similar bills are pending in other American states.

CCHR has also made considerable headway in Europe. In January 2003, the National Health Board of Denmark instituted new controls over ECT. Under the regulations now in force, every use of ECT must be reported to the Board. In August 2003, CCHR’s work was instrumental in a decision by the town council of Florence, Italy, to condemn ECT, citing Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Through CCHR’s achievements, the lives of countless men, women and children have been saved. Patients have regained legal and civil rights, mental health acts around the world have stopped the arbitrary use of electroshock and psychosurgery and have banned these savage practices on children, and many hundreds of survivors of harmful psychiatric treatments have been monetarily compensated for the damage they have suffered.