Mysteries of Mental Illness

Cynthia Piltch and Electroconvulsive Therapy

Clip | 3m 54s  | Video has closed captioning.

Fear and misunderstanding have created a stigma around ECT or Electroconvulsive Therapy, but today it’s done with targeted current, anesthesia, and muscle relaxants, making it much safer with fewer side effects. Cynthia has been hospitalized for depression five times and tried many treatments, with little success, before turning to ECT.

Aired: 06/23/21

Rating: NR

Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning

Funding for Mysteries of Mental Illness is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Johnson & Johnson, the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, and Draper, and through the support of PBS viewers.

Join the Campaign

Campaign

Join the Campaign

Share your story of dealing with mental illness through textual commentary, a still image, a short-form video — however you feel most comfortable — using the hashtag #MentalHealthPBS on social media.

Share Your Story