Women's experiences of electro-convulsive therapy : a qualitative study

Abstract

This study explored women’s experiences of electro-convulsive therapy. This is a commonly used treatment for major depression, yet it remains one of the most controversial psychiatric interventions. Questions abound regarding both its benefits and its harms. As well, the literature on its safety and efficacy is incomplete focusing mostly on the opinions and knowledge of healthcare professionals rather than the patients who have undergone the treatment. Since the majority of patients who receive ECT are female, the female perspective of this treatment is significant. In-depth person-centered interviews were conducted with nine women who experienced electro-convulsive therapy. The primary researcher chose narrative inquiry design and used thematic content analysis to extract emergent themes from the verbatim textual data. By exploring women’s narratives of electro-convulsive therapy, this study gave voice to these women, extended formal understanding of women’s electro-convulsive therapy experiences, and encouraged improved electro-convulsive therapy practices for this population.