I came across a review at Slate, the online magazine, of a book on ECT, commonly referred to as “shock therapy.” It offered a view of ECT that one rarely sees anywhere else in the media; namely that it’s a powerful treatment for mood disorders, and that the visions of it that Hollywood has conjured up over the last few decades, don’t represent the facts.

Now … I find this refreshing because — while I have never had ECT myself — I do know several people who have. Almost without exception, they found it helpful (if not the most pleasant experience), and most would do it again if they had to. This information almost totally contradicts everything else I’ve ever heard about ECT … i.e. that it’s a drastic treatment, has horrible side effects, it’s only used as a treatment of last resort, has injured people, etc.

Am I saying this book, and the Slate author who reviewed it, are right? No. I am, however, saying that perhaps the common fear of ECT is overblown, and maybe … just maybe … there are mood-disorder patients who could benefit from it, who will never get it, because 1) they are afraid of it and refuse to entertain it as a possibility; 2) people around them are afraid and tell them not to; and/or 3) their doctor is afraid to recommend it.

In other words … it’s something to consider. Something that — perhaps — we ought not be so quick to dismiss.