Publication: The Under Potrayal Of Electroconvulsive Therapy(ect) Procedure In The Asian Media
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Date
2017-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ASEAN Federation of Psychiatry and Mental Health
Abstract
Objective: Mental health is often stigmatized in Asia, and electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) is portrayed negatively in the media. The objective of this short
report is to obtain an insight on Asian countries’ perception on
Electroconvulsive Therapy, mainly through the media. Methods: Several online
movie databases were searched, with emphasis on Asian movies’ portrayal of
Electroconvulsive Therapy. Results: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) was
portrayed in 9 television programme, 4 in films and 2 on Youtube. All patients
(15) had no proper information given on possible side effects and consent not
taken in all of them. 5 patients (33%) were tortured via ECT, 3(20%) of them
had, ECT for Schizophrenia. In all scenes (15/15, 100%) ECT were given
without general anaesthesia and the patients were fully awake. Basic monitoring
(2/15, 13%) was performed, and all patients had no oxygenation. Tonic Clonic
seizures were visible because all patients received no muscle relaxant. Bilateral
electrode's placements (13/15, 87%) were common. One (6.6%) patient had a
trilateral electrode placement. Most patients (9/15, 60%) received one shock, 4
patients (27%) received 2 shocks. One patient (6.6%) received 3 and 1 patient
(6.6%) 4 shocks. 100% of patients were in obvious discomfort and ECT was
portrayed as barbaric. There was no death depicted post ECT. Conclusion: ECT
is under portrayed in the Asian media. Only the Indian and Pakistani medium
broached the subject. In the majority of the scenes, ECT was portrayed
negatively. This shows a total lack of knowledge of ECT among the Asian
population. Alarmingly, ECT was used as a torture device in 5 mediums. This
only adds to the stigma of ECT in Asia. More needs to be done to correct the
misconceptions of ECT in Asia. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 18 (2): July –
December 2017: XX XX.
Description
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 18 (2), July - December 2017: XX-XX
Keywords
Portrayal,, ECT,, Asian Media