PROTEST AGAINST E.C.T

Amped up against ECT

AMY CHILDS

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Amy Childs

From left: Rangimarie Bosma, Frances Louis, Rob Kent and Kevin Owen.

A mental health patient at Rotorua Hospital set fire to her room in a failed bid to avoid another round of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), according to anti-ECT campaigner Frances Louis, prompting her crusade to have the controversial treatment banned.

ECT is the administration of an electric current to the brain via electrodes placed on the head in order to induce seizure activity in the brain and is used in the treatment of certain mental illnesses, especially severe depression.

The group fighting against ECT is led by Frances Louis and plan to hold weekly ECT protests on Pukeroa Hill each Saturday at 2pm.

Mrs Louis said she is campaigning against the treatment after being approached by a "terrified" patient.

"The patient said she set fire to her room because she was so scared about getting another round of treatment. But for this behaviour, another ECT was what she got," said Mrs Louis.

"She wanted me to come and help her talk to the psychiatrist as she has had three rounds of ECT and said she couldn't take anymore. She is deprived of food and drink for nine hours before her treatment and does not want to undergo anymore of this."

Mrs Louis said she was moved by the terror in the patients eyes and knew she had to help her and others in her position.

"She is going to be a lifetime customer of the mental health system and she knows it."

She said patients also suffer from side effects such as memory loss and trauma.

"I want this treatment banned from Pukeroa Hill. This land was given to Rotorua by the tribe for healing, but the way I see it, ECT is not healing, it's torturous control.

"I have grave concerns for the patients who refuse to undergo ECT and the ability the psychiatrist's have to override the consent of an adult. It is a violation of human rights."

Rotorua MP and associate Health Minister Todd McClay defended the treatment, saying it was an effective way to deal with various types of mental illness including depression, mania, catatonia and other neuropsychiatric conditions.

He said it was also effective when medication failed.

Mr McClay also said he would be happy to meet with anyone who had concerns over ECT treatment.

Lakes DHB chief executive Ron Dunham said he had received a letter from the campaigners which had been put before the DHB board.

"Lakes DHB is currently reviewing its processes around ECT," he said.

- Rotorua Review