PATIENT ATTITUDES TOWARD ELECTROCONVULSIVE-THERAPY

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a safe and effective treatment for ma jor depression, has been mote harshly criticized than any other psychi atric treatment. Despite widespread negative public opinion, clinical impressions that are supported by limited empirical data suggest that patients who benefit from ECT do not share these negative sentiments. This study surveyed attitudes toward ECT in 78 depressed inpatients, t wice during hospitalization and at 6 months after discharge, using a s emi-structured interview. Significantly more ECT-treated patients (n=5 6) were favorable about ECT, compared to depressed patients (n=22) nev er treated with ECT, both at pretreatment (chi square=8.4, df=1, p<.01 ) and at post-treatment (chi square=12.5, df=1, p<.01). Favorable atti tudes were maintained after 6 months. ECT-treated patients, initially uncertain or negative about ECT, changed to a favorable attitude after completing treatment. Ninety-eight percent of ECT-treated patients sa id they would agree to ECT if they became depressed again.