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Hardcover Shock Therapy: A History of Electroconvulsive Treatment in Mental Illness Book

ISBN: 0802093477

ISBN13: 9780802093479

Shock Therapy: The History of Electroconvulsive Treatment in Mental Illness

Shock therapy is making a comeback today in the treatment of serious mental illness. Despite its reemergence as a safe and effective psychiatric tool, however, it continues to be shrouded by a longstanding negative public image, due, in large part, to how it is depicted in films, novels, and other forms of mass media. Beyond its vilification in popular culture, the stereotype of electroconvulsive therapy as a dangerous and inhumane practice is fuelled by professional posturing and public misinformation.

Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, has in the last thirty years been considered a method of last resort in the treatment of debilitating depression, suicidal ideation, and other forms of mental illness. Yet, ironically, its effectiveness in treating these patients would suggest that it is a frontline therapy. In this study, Edward Shorter and David Healy trace the controversial history of ECT and other 'shock' therapies. Drawing on case studies, public debates, extensive interviews, and archival research, the authors expose the myths surrounding ECT that have been proliferated over the years.

By showing ECT's often life-saving results, Shorter and Healy endorse a point of view that is hotly contested in professional circles and in public debates. For the nearly half of all clinically depressed patients who do not respond to drugs, this book brings much-needed hope.

Recommended

Format: Hardcover

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5 stars
Great & Scary

I read this book to my little brothers and they had nightmares for weeks so you may want to preview it before you let younger readers read it. It is a great story though and I was very entertained by the story of a robot who needs human eyes.

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Rated 5 stars
The Master Of Young Adult Horror!

John Bellairs is one of my favorite authors and his books are never disappointing. This is a particular favorite of mine by this late great writer. The weaving of myth and witchcraft into that intriguing time period in America when the Atomic bomb was a new thing is just fantastic. The greatest thing about Mr. Bellairs is that his books can evoke a kind of "happy fear" in the young readers that will pick up his books...

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Rated 5 stars
The best bellairs book So Far!

This book is a great mystery featuring Johnny Dixon, Byron Fergeson, and the Proffesor. It is about a killer robot, and a new one in the making by the evil/insane Evaristun Sloane. A MUST READ

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Rated 5 stars
This was a very exciting book, one of his best

Evaristus Sloane invented a robot that was like a pitching machine a long time ago. But Johnny's grandpa didn't want it because he didn't like the way it's eyes look. Now, crazy Sloane is going to get back at him and he is going to use Johnny to do it!!!!

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Rated 5 stars
This is a great mystery

It really flows well, and it explains all of the occurences, except for a strange voice. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery

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