ECT is used to treat a range of serious mental health problems including severe or life-threatening depression, catatonia and long-lasting manic episodes.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists previously described the treatment as “life-saving,” but many experts have called for the practice to be banned. In fact, in 2020, peer-reviewed research published in the journal Ethical Human Psychology And Psychiatry concluded that the practice should be “immediately suspended” because of “the high risk of permanent memory loss” it presents.

While ECT is yet to be banned, current guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Evidence (NICE), which provides treatment guidelines to the NHS, say that ECT should only be used as a last resort.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): thousands of women are being given “dangerous” electric shocks for their mental health