Petition · past parliament

Abolish psychiatric electroconvulsive therapy – ECT - electroshock to the brain

Closed 254 signatures

What the petition asks

ECT causes brain cell death, brain bleed and swelling. It can cause permanent memory loss, cognitive impairment and even death. It can trigger suicide. ECT machines have never been independently inspected or approved for medical safety, not even by the regulators for the UK - MHRA or the US – FDA.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (electroshock) is a psychiatric procedure where up to 400 volts is put through the brain for up to 8 seconds causing an epileptic fit purportedly to relieve mental distress. Mainly given to women and the elderly, sometimes to children and often without consent. Patients are rarely fully informed about the potential harm. Dr Peter Breggin states ECT produces a ‘closed head injury high’ www.ectresources.org. Abolish ECT. www.speakoutagainstpsychiatry.org @soapgroup

Timeline

1 Feb 2016 Petition opened for signatures
1 Aug 2016 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 254
Status Closed
Opened 1 Feb 2016
Closed 1 Aug 2016

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.