Kathleen Garrett, St. Louis

It happened to Kathleen Garrett of St. Louis in summer, 2000. The public battled back to stop this assault. Mrs. Garrett did NOT want the ECT, nor did her son, a licensed social worker. Mrs. Garrett went up against Tenet Healthcare Corporation, one of the largest healthcare operations in the nation (and one with an exceptionally ugly history), and stood strong against their continued harassment. They eventually threatened this website with legal action. Read more of this alarming story.

Adam Szyszko, New York

A young man in New York state faces forced ECT. Public battles back.

The New York Post responds with an editorial.

Mom in tears as docs "treat" captive son - more on Adam's case from the NY Post.

Sister continues to fight...

Lucille Austwick, Chicago

The case of Lucille Austwick, an octogenarian from Illinois who refused ECT, set the stage for a legal battle. "If the doctors are so interested in doing these kinds of treatments, they should do them to themselves."

Read a transcript about this case from National Public Radio

Other cases of forced ECT

Sadly, most occasions of forced ECT simply don't make the news. They happen quickly, before the patient has time to fight back. Here are some of the cases that did make the news....

Toronto mother launches appeal to stop ECT on her daughter.

Rocker Michelle Shocked was forcibly treated.

Dad's Rights Zapped by the Shock Docs

Electroshock turns Hillside to Hellside

Alarming stats from the UK
As campaigners protest about mental patients being treated against their will, Sally Weale asks why so many women are still coerced into electro-convulsive therapy.

New stats from New York state
According to this state survey, forty percent of ECT patients receive ECT under a court order. Outrageous!

And the many more you won't hear about because they couldn't go public, or lost the will to fight.....may God bless each and every one of you.

next: What To Do If You're Facing Forced Electroshock / ECT