Pascal Sienaert1. 1. KU Leuven - University of Leuven, University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, Academic Center for ECT and Neuromodulation (AcCENT), Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium. Electronic address: pascal.sienaert@upckuleuven.be.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Movies and television (TV) programs are an important source of public information about ECT. OBJECTIVE: To narratively review the portrayal of ECT in international movies and TV programs from 1948 until present. METHODS: Several Internet movie databases and a database of phrases appearing in movies and TV programs were searched, supplemented with a Medline-search. No language restrictions were applied. RESULTS: ECT was portrayed in 52 movies (57 scenes), 21 TV programs (23 scenes), and 2 animated sitcoms (2 scenes). In movies, the main indication for ECT is behavioral control or torture (17/57, 29.8%), whereas in TV programs, the most frequent indication is erasing memories (7/25, 28%). In most scenes (47/82; 57.3%) ECT is given without consent, and without anesthesia (59/82; 72%). Unmodified ECT is depicted more frequently in American scenes (48/64, 75%), as opposed to scenes from other countries (11/18; 64.7%). Bilateral electrode placement is used in almost all (89%, 73/82) scenes. The vast majority of movies (46/57, 80.7%) and TV programs (18/25, 72%) show a negative and inaccurate image of the treatment. CONCLUSION(S): In the majority of scenes, ECT is used as a metaphor for repression, mind and behavior control, and is shown as a memory-erasing, painful and damaging treatment, adding to the stigma already associated with ECT. Only a few exceptions paint a truthful picture of this indispensable treatment in modern psychiatry.
BACKGROUND: Movies and television (TV) programs are an important source of public information about ECT. OBJECTIVE: To narratively review the portrayal of ECT in international movies and TV programs from 1948 until present. METHODS: Several Internet movie databases and a database of phrases appearing in movies and TV programs were searched, supplemented with a Medline-search. No language restrictions were applied. RESULTS:ECT was portrayed in 52 movies (57 scenes), 21 TV programs (23 scenes), and 2 animated sitcoms (2 scenes). In movies, the main indication for ECT is behavioral control or torture (17/57, 29.8%), whereas in TV programs, the most frequent indication is erasing memories (7/25, 28%). In most scenes (47/82; 57.3%) ECT is given without consent, and without anesthesia (59/82; 72%). Unmodified ECT is depicted more frequently in American scenes (48/64, 75%), as opposed to scenes from other countries (11/18; 64.7%). Bilateral electrode placement is used in almost all (89%, 73/82) scenes. The vast majority of movies (46/57, 80.7%) and TV programs (18/25, 72%) show a negative and inaccurate image of the treatment. CONCLUSION(S): In the majority of scenes, ECT is used as a metaphor for repression, mind and behavior control, and is shown as a memory-erasing, painful and damaging treatment, adding to the stigma already associated with ECT. Only a few exceptions paint a truthful picture of this indispensable treatment in modern psychiatry.
Authors: Nagy A Youssef; Mark S George; William V McCall; Gregory L Sahlem; Baron Short; Suzanne Kerns; Andrew J Manett; James B Fox; Morgan Dancy; Daniel Cook; William Devries; Peter B Rosenquist; Harold A Sackeim Journal: J ECT Date: 2021-12-01 Impact factor: 3.692
Authors: Nagy A Youssef; Dheeraj Ravilla; Cherishma Patel; Mark Yassa; Ramses Sadek; Li Fang Zhang; Laryssa McCloud; William V McCall; Peter B Rosenquist Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2019-04-29
Authors: Lucas Borrione; Helena Bellini; Lais Boralli Razza; Ana G Avila; Chris Baeken; Anna-Katharine Brem; Geraldo Busatto; Andre F Carvalho; Adam Chekroud; Zafiris J Daskalakis; Zhi-De Deng; Jonathan Downar; Wagner Gattaz; Colleen Loo; Paulo A Lotufo; Maria da Graça M Martin; Shawn M McClintock; Jacinta O'Shea; Frank Padberg; Ives C Passos; Giovanni A Salum; Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt; Renerio Fraguas; Isabela Benseñor; Leandro Valiengo; Andre R Brunoni Journal: Braz J Psychiatry Date: 2020-03-16 Impact factor: 2.697