Anti-psychiatry activists respond to media reports that use of ECT is increasing
The Canadian Psychiatric Association recently issued its first position paper on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) since 1992, saying that ECT “should remain readily available as a treatment option.” The position paper was followed by a major article carried by Canwest newspapers across Canada, suggesting that electroshock therapy is experiencing a comeback. Activists and groups, such as Mind Freedom International, are alarmed by the position paper. Canadian anti-psychiatry activist Bonnie Burstow says that, at a minimum, ECT should be phased out [source: The Ottawa Citizen] due to its documented harms.
We speak with Bonnie Burstow, co-founder of the Coalition Against Psychiatric Assault, and with Sue Clark-Wittenberg, an electroshock survivor who was subjected to forced ECT at Brockville Psychiatric Hospital in 1973.
