This is an excellent book on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) written primarily for patients and their families. Authored by an internationally recognized clinician and researcher, it is a valuable contribution to the field. The purpose is to explain and teach to patients and their families the safety and effectiveness of ECT for specific psychiatric disorders, and to describe and critically review the adverse side affects (e.g., memory loss, the myths and controversies of ECT, the history of the treatment, and even technical aspects of treatment). The author accomplishes this difficult task in easy-to-understand language without medical jargon. The intended audience is patients and their families. It would also be useful for non-psychiatric physicians unfamiliar with ECT, social workers, psychologists, and anyone in healthcare who works with the seriously mentally ill patient. This book features 157 pages divided into 12 chapters, including four appendixes, annotations from the various chapters, and an up-to-date bibliography section. The chapters include topics such as a description of treatment, the patient's experience, risks and contraindications, technical aspects, and various neuropsychiatric disorders for which ECT is used. Appendix 1 lists diagnoses in which ECT is considered effective and Appendix 2 lists diagnoses in which ECT is considered ineffective. Appendix 3 has a sample consent form, and Appendix 4 lists various drugs with their brand and generic names and uses. There is also a helpful index at the end of the book. This is an outstanding and informative new book on ECT. Clinicians who prescribe ECT should recommend this book to their patients and their patients'families.
In this book, Dr. Max Fink has made another important contribution to patients and physicians by filling the gap between standard patient-education materials on electroconvulsive treatment, most of which are dated as compared with information available at Web sites, and the specialized literature. Electroshock is written in language that will be easily understood by laypersons, and the supplemental notes and references will be very informative for primary care physicians who treat most of the depressed patients who should be referred for electroconvulsive treatment when standard medication is ineffective.
New England Journal of Medicine
Probably a few doctors overprescribed ECT, but the vast majority shy away from it too much. This book, clearly written, concise, and assertive, should help balance the picture, educating mental health professionals and the general public alike.
Drawing on his 45 years of clinical and research experience, Fink (psychology and neurology, State U. of New York-Stony Brook) argues that electroshock therapy is now a safe, effective, painless, and sometimes life-saving treatment for emotional and mental disorders. He describes how it was discovered in 1934, was widely accepted for two decades, was largely replaced by psychotropic drugs in the 1950s, and is now seeing a revival because undesirable side effects have been removed. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Reviewer: Michael Joel Schrift, DO, MA (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)Description: This is an excellent book on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) written primarily for patients and their families. Authored by an internationally recognized clinician and researcher, it is a valuable contribution to the field.Purpose: The purpose is to explain and teach to patients and their families the safety and effectiveness of ECT for specific psychiatric disorders, and to describe and critically review the adverse side affects (e.g., memory loss, the myths and controversies of ECT, the history of the treatment, and even technical aspects of treatment). The author accomplishes this difficult task in easy-to-understand language without medical jargon.Audience: The intended audience is patients and their families. It would also be useful for non-psychiatric physicians unfamiliar with ECT, social workers, psychologists, and anyone in healthcare who works with the seriously mentally ill patient.Features: This book features 157 pages divided into 12 chapters, including four appendixes, annotations from the various chapters, and an up-to-date bibliography section. The chapters include topics such as a description of treatment, the patient's experience, risks and contraindications, technical aspects, and various neuropsychiatric disorders for which ECT is used. Appendix 1 lists diagnoses in which ECT is considered effective and Appendix 2 lists diagnoses in which ECT is considered ineffective. Appendix 3 has a sample consent form, and Appendix 4 lists various drugs with their brand and generic names and uses. There is also a helpful index at the end of the book.Assessment: This is an outstanding and informative new book on ECT. Clinicians who prescribe ECT should recommend this book to their patients and their patients' families.
"Dr. Fink...writes about the use of electroshock in the treatment of depression, mania and schizophrenia, among other disorders. He cites numerous studies that he says demonstrate its effectiveness, its record in reducing the cost and length of inpatient treatment, and its ability to bring on antidepressant effects earlier 'and more robust than those of antidepressant drugs.' Dr. Fink's assessment is generally confirmed by the National Institute of Mental Health, which characterizes electroshock therapy as 'one of the most effective yet most stigmatized treatments for depression.'"—The New York Times
"In an America long besotted with psychotherapy, Max Fink carried an often lonely torch for the physical treatment of psychiatric disorders . . . . Electroshock is a slim volume, packing a punch of controversy."—Nature
"This book, clearly written, concise, and assertive, should help balance the picture, educating mental health professionals and the general public alike"—Forward Magazine
"Dr. Fink...writes about the use of electroshock in the treatment of depression, mania and schizophrenia, among other disorders. He cites numerous studies that he says demonstrate its effectiveness, its record in reducing the cost and length of inpatient treatment, and its ability to bring on antidepressant effects earlier 'and more robust than those of antidepressant drugs.' Dr. Fink's assessment is generally confirmed by the National Institute of Mental Health, which characterizes electroshock therapy as 'one of the most effective yet most stigmatized treatments for depression.'"—The New York Times
"In an America long besotted with psychotherapy, Max Fink carried an often lonely torch for the physical treatment of psychiatric disorders . . . . Electroshock is a slim volume, packing a punch of controversy."—Nature
"This book, clearly written, concise, and assertive, should help balance the picture, educating mental health professionals and the general public alike"—Forward Magazine
"Among many ECT books that cover similar content, this volume really stands out. It not only reviews evidence-based literature but also reflects the author's enormous amount of personal experience in taking care of severely ill and often treatment-resistant patients....This book is clearly written by a strong ECT advocate, but it presents a balanced view of concomitant treatment options and alternatives."—Ethiopian Reivew, part of DC's Health News Forum
