Customer Reviews

ELECTROSHOCK: Restoring the Mind

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have some hesitation recommending a book on Electro-shock which is so clearly pro-ECT and does not review this very controversial subject with an objective eye, however, having said that, I believe it is a worthwhile book as long as it is read in conjunction with a book that seriously questions the value of ECT and studies the mechanism by which it is assumed to work. Dr. Fink gives some very clear and logical sounding reasons for choosing ECT, but he does not counterbalance these
with serious looks at the downsides of ECT. I am not an anti-ECT protester, nor an I a pro-ECT advocate. ECT does offer some valuable help to some patients, but, having had ECT myself, I also know that in the case of ECT, the cure can sometimes be worse than the illness. Memory problems are not the only side effect of ECT and Max Fink is remiss in not presenting patient accounts that tell the whole story. Would I choose ECT again? I don't know, (my recovery from ECT has been slow - 2+ years now), but I do know that I wish I had read both a book like Max Fink's ALONG WITH one that talked about the flip side of the coin. One more word of caution - Max Fink makes his living by pushing the ECT button many times a day. It pays better than "talk therapy" and takes less time to provide, so be cautious in viewing Fink's book as an objective or "outside" endorsement of ECT. And remember, that what works for one, may not work for another.

This book fulfills a very important function: written by a foremost medical expert on ECT, it provides the lay reader with a brief, clear, up-to-date summary of this much maligned yet highly effective treatment. To this reader, the most valuable (and original) contribution of this book is its emphasis on continuation ECT. Fink gives repeated examples of individuals given ECT who responded, as the families put it "miraculously." But then, when the symptoms returned months or even years later, ECT was not used again. It was assumed to have "failed" because its effects were not permanent. But no one assumes that drugs have failed if they are taken and symptoms return when the patient stops taking them. Patients who have responded well to ECT have an excellent chance of responding again: many patients will do best if they are given ECT on a continuation basis but spaced far more broadly than at the initial crisis. There are two other particularly important contributions of this book. One is the discussion of the large variety of mental illnesses (not just depression) that respond well to ECT. The other is the encouragement it gives families to use ECT early in schizophrenia (where it is not rarely used at all, early or late). ECT used early in acute onset schizophrenia can not infrequently cut off the disease at the start, saving patients and their families a lifetime of torment.

Max Fink's book discusses ECT in detail, but also in terms that the majority of patients can understand. It is clearly written, without hype, and describes ECT from the perspective of an experienced and caring clinician. I frequently recommend it for patients who are considering ECT.

As for vagus nerve stimulation, studies indicate that while it may be helpful for chronic depression, it probably takes too long (3-12 months) to work for it to be useful in an episode of acute, severe depression.

Finally, a comprehensive book that is informative, easy to read and understand for the non-medical person on ECT. Not only does Dr. Fink supply the reader with a wealth of information on ECT, but also explains many forms of mental illness and disorders. He gives thorough explanations of illnesses and disorders, what the symptoms are, how to treat the illnesses, how patients respond and length of treatments. This book is now a vital part of my personal library on the subject of severe depression and its treatment. Having been hospitalized for severe depression, not able to respond to meds, I underwent a series of nine shock treatments in 1988. I am sure I would not have survived if my psychiatrist had not prescribed ECT. I now have a book that clearly explains the reasoning behind ECT and how it works. Everyone needs to understand that having had ECT does not make me a "freak", but a living, productive example of the benefits of this treatment of severe depression. We as a society do not judge extreme treatments of cancer or other illnesses, it's about time we accepted and understood this very beneficial treatment of some mental illnesses. I thank you, Dr. Fink for sharing this information in a way that we can all understand and grow with the knowledge you provide.

This book does serious harm to the effort to overcome the historic stigma against ECT, by perpetuating misinformation, and by misleading both practitioners and the public. Discussion of vital treatment issues, such as electrode placement and seizure thresholds, uses long out-of-date research and directly contradicts the recommendations of the American Psychiatric Association Task Force on ECT. Instead of a balanced view on both the lifesaving value and the serious issue of risk of cognitive side effects, Fink takes a highly defensive tone that denies accepted current knowledge. While understandable, given his longstanding role in the difficult battle to legitimize this crucial medical treatment, it does not justify ignoring known risks, promoting his own 1986 video which denies APA statements on memory loss, and failing to provide the most current treatment information impacting on both efficacy and side effects. ECT is too important a treatment: it should not be allowed to be damaged by a book which fights a political battle under the false guise of presenting accurate medical information.

Dr. Fink has been treating the more severe mentally ill for many decades, and this book is meant to explain the treatment to patients and their families. Our son has ben ill for 13 years, had undergone more than 22 hospitalizations, when we were referred to Dr. Fink. He received electroshock, and despite the length and severity of his illness, he very much improved. His story is one of many descriptions of patients that have benefitted form electroshock that Dr. Fink describes in this readable, clear, and detailed book. Familiy members and patients will find the case examples useful. The description of what the patient experiences is accurate and reassuring. I can personally attest to that, having had ECT myself from another specialist. I can highly recommend this book to patients, their families, and their psychiatrists

Max Fink's "Electroshock: Restoring the Mind", despite its provocative title, is a very useful, easily absorbed, informative,and lucidly written book presenting a master clinician's perspective on this controversial -yet indispensable- treatment for severe mental illness. Professor Fink explains the changes that have made this once feared treatment safe and painless with only minor and reversible side effects and guides the reader with admirable clarity through technical explanations, indications and side effects, easily understood descriptions of the mental conditions this treatment is particularly helpful in,intriguing insights about the way ECT works, and interesting speculations about the future. These are all very helpful to demystify the treatment, particularly for patients who are offered the treatment and their relatives,present an introductory text for psychology and psychiatry students, and alleviate fears associated with rumors and prejudice for the general public. This is an important and timely contribution in an era when the use of ECT is actually on the rise and its application is finally based on solid scientific research. The book is also significant for two additional reasons. One is the history of ECT it provides which gives a perspective in time and helps understand the social and scientific contexts in which this treatment was born, used, abused, and denigrated. The second is the wealth of invaluable stories of the many patients that Dr Fink has cared for over the decades, who have had their illness restored by ECT when nothing else was working, and who in turn, through the exposition of their experience, are the the ones who truly restore its reputation

Having suffered from treatment resistant major depressive dissorder for 20 years I am very gratefull that ECT is still used to treat depression. It has been very effective at ameliorating the symptoms, though it has not been a cure. Ironically, the tratment has caused other stresses in my life that have been as incapasitating, if not more so, than the depression itself (though far less painfull). The main side effect being memory loss. I was on dissability for 6 months and received a total of 52 treatments. Upon returning to work there were many of my co-workers that I was convinced I had never met before, depite having working with them for years. Now almost a year later, someone will come up to me and say hi, when they leave I think "who on earth was that". Luckily my memory for my job has remained relitivly intact as far as clinical skills, the computer is a whole different issue. I have lived in my home city since 1992, used to know it like the back of my hand. Now, if it were not for my GPS I would not get anywhere. Another problem has been time perception, I am allways late, no matter how hard I try. I am very gratefull that my ability to relearn lost knowledge has not been greately effected, it does take repition though. I returned to work March 31, 2011, having had my last treatment on the monday of that week. It is now December 25th. Durring that time I have been asked to take time off or go back on dissability four times. This has been a huge source of humiliation and frustration, it also goes to show that the side effects are not in my head, they are clear to everyone else. This has been the hardest year of my life.
Having said that, I have been told that my case is very unusual, and lately I can honestly say I have noticed significant improvements, noted by others as well. It is ironic, had I not had the ECT, I do not think I would have had the strength to have coped with its ramifications.
In no way do I regret havining the ECT, there were no other options and I was just about done. It saved my life. I only bring this up to point out that in my case at least, it was not a benign treatment. I hope I will never have to go through this again, but if I had to I would. I cannot bear the thought of suffering the way I did for so long.
Do not discount the very real and dramatic effects that ECT has to offer, but be aware that, for some people at least, memory problems are a possibility and it can be a real chalange to get your life back in order. However if you are at a point were there is no light at the end of the tunnel...what do you have to lose.
John.

Mr.Fink's book on the wonders of E.C.T. leaves a lot of unanswered questions.Clearly Dr. Fink believes that electroshock can provide remarkable relief in the areas of clinical depression and mania.What is not answered is the memory loss that getting shock causes.I have received 2 series of electroshock-yes , I know where of I speak-and getting E.C.T. causes memory loss. I always thought it would be great if these shock doctors like Fink and Abrams would shock themselves too. I wonder if they then would be such eager advocates of electroshock.

Max Fink reports from the perspective of an ect enthusiast. He earns from administration of ect and from those who manufacture ect equipment. So he is naturally a champion of his technology.

Standard informed consents for ect procedures do not reveal the risks of long-term memory loss reported to the FDA by many many ect recipients.

Fink also omits reporting on the growing use of involuntary ect. A Wisconsin study reported that women over 65 are the largest group receiving ect without consent.

This book presents one portion of the picture of using electricty and convulsions to change the brain.