03 Apr 2011 *CUTTACK*: With the Union Health Ministry moving to ban the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), more commonly known as electroshocks, to treat mentally-ill people, the medical fraternity in the psychiatry discipline here has voiced concern and pressed for its continuance as a lifesaving measure in acute cases.
Under intense scrutiny over the "barbaric" practice, the Government recently has decided to do away with the direct application of electroshocks to treat the mentally-ill. However, the psychiatrists feel that the therapy is still an essential part of the psychiatry practice in the country and the State. According to them, the awareness on mental diseases among the people of the State is extremely low and attached with strong social stigma. Thus, people refrain from reporting at the hospitals or do not seek medical help at the early stages. With a substantial chunk coming to the hospital or psychiatrists with acute conditions, handling them requires radical measures. With at least five per cent of the population of the State suffering from any degree of mental ailments, the number of people afflicted is estimated to be around 20 lakh at any point of time. With more than 200 people reporting at the 70 bed Mental Health Institute of the SCB Medical here daily, the average ECTs conducted in a week is around 20. ECTs are used to treat acute cases of schizophrenia and depression. Under the procedure, electric current of 70 to 170 volts is applied in micro durations of less than a second to the patient. The procedure is stipulated to be repeated for maximum of around 610 applications. But the procedure is still considered brutal and laced with critical side effects like seizures, haemorrhages and fractures. However, doctors here have said under proper supervision and application, ECT is effective and is devoid of complications and side effects. "Under proper administration, the risks are the same as in pharmacotherapy through drugs and medicines. While direct ECT can be done away with, the modified administration under anaesthesia should be continued as the last resort for psychiatric treatment,'' said Dr AK Mishra, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SCB. http://expressbuzz.com/states/orissa/ECT-ban-will-be-shocking-Doctors/262166.html -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
