CAN ECT BE REFUSED?

Normally, the treatment can be refused.The patient will be asked to sign a consent form before treatment starts and can withdraw consent at any time.

However, sometimes a doctor may decide to use ECT without a patients consent. All such patients are detained under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act. This happens if:

• A depressed patients life is in danger, for example through not eating or drinking.
• A patient is too ill or confused to give meaningful consent.

In these cases aspecialist, appointed by the Mental Welfare Commission, has to agree that this is the best treatment.

NO ONE SHOULD BE PUT UNDER UNDUE PRESSURE TO HAVE ECT. IF THERE ARE DOUBTS INDEPENDENT ADVICE SHOULD BE SOUGHT. SOMEONE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE. SEE THE RELEVANT ADDRESSES AT THE END OF THIS BOOKLET.

Remember however, in the latest survey, more than four fifths of all patients in Scotland (over 81%) gave their consent to the course of treatment.