Reply #87: I did a little searching on this and found:

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Forced treatment - including ECT is legal in 42 states.
It is not a common treatment, but it is considered a valid treatment by a vary large number of mental health professionals (Psychiatrists).
It is considered a teatment of last resort by some, but not by a majority - many think it is very effective against clinical depression.

Personally, I worked in a state psychiatric hospital and have not heard of ECT being done there, at least not for 25 years or so. It was evidently quite common before the 1980's.

Personally, again - the state of mental health care in the US is primitive, degrading, and barbaric. If you are unfortunate enough to have one of several very serious long term mental illnesses you may find yourself deprived of all human rights, even the most basic,the right to handle your own money, even pocket money, etc.

Remember - this situation and all situations endured by mental patients are the result os laws passed by state legislatures, usually swayed by drug manufacturers, lobbyinst, insurance groups, doctor's organizations, and very occasionally patient advocate groups.

Patient and staff welfare comes last.

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