Highlights
- •In movies, the main indication for ECT is behavioral correction or torture.
- •In series, the most frequent indication for the use of ECT is erasing memories.
- •In the majority of scenes unmodified bitemporal ECT is depicted.
- •Coercive ECT is shown more frequently in American movies and series than in movies and series from other countries.
- •Truthful portrayals of ECT are rare: in 11% of scenes, the way ECT is portrayed reflects the practice in the corresponding time period.
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.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 20, 2016
Accepted:
July 18,
2016
Received in revised form:
June 15,
2016
Received:
April 8,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
