What is it about?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a highly effective and safe treatment for depression but is underutilized primarily because of its associated stigma. Just as stigma can affect the treatment choices of some patients, it can also affect the treatment recommendations of some doctors. This paper gives actionable ways for doctors to take the lead in breaking the self-reinforcing vicious cycle of stigma which, if not directly challenged, can too often lead to inadequate treatment.
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Why is it important?
Stigmatized diagnoses or treatments can be seen throughout medicine, always involving the same factors--oversimplification, misinformation, intentional disinformation, and fear. Doctors must first gain insight into what might be our own subconscious biases and educate ourselves. Then we doctors need to correctly educate our patients and correct their misconceptions, thereby dismantling stigma and enabling patients to choose evidence based treatment options that they might have initially resisted.
Perspectives
As a retired psychiatrist who subsequently became a patient, I have seen the deleterious effects of stigma, no matter its source, impede good treatment outcomes. Stigma can be overcome. It requires a proactive mentality of determination and a concerted effort of education, research and advocacy.
Rebecca E. Barchas M.D.
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Electroconvulsive therapy highlights the urgency of addressing medical stigma, The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, July 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2025.101154.
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