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Rachel V Thomas

Paris Jackson Undergoes ‘Painful’ ECT for Depression: Can Electroconvulsive Therapy Reduce Suicide Risk?

American model and actress Paris Jackson has opened up about battling depression and dealing with suicide attempts.

In a recent podcast, Jackson revealed that she underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which she said helped her. While describing the treatment as “painful,” she said it was not a “barbaric” experience.

The 28-year-old said she underwent nine ECT sessions over three weeks, with each session performed under general anesthesia.

Paris Jackson Describes Her ECT Experience

Jackson recalled that she had to replace the metal from her facial piercings with plastic earrings before undergoing the treatment.

“You go in, you get your hospital gown, they knock you out, strap you down, put a bite guard on your mouth [and] electrocute you,” she said while describing the procedure.

“It helps with the neuroplasticity in your brain,” Paris continued. “If I’m not mistaken, it’s still the leading most effective form of depression treatment.”

She said the first couple of sessions were “painful” and that she experienced significant side effects.

“The first time I woke up, and it was the most sharp pain I have ever experienced inside of my head,” she recalled, describing it as soreness after being electrocuted. She also said there were days when she felt “completely not in my head at all.”

Jackson Tried Several Treatments Before ECT

Jackson has previously opened up about her suicide attempts, describing her experience of self-hatred, low self-esteem and feelings that she was not worthy of living. 

She has also spoken about engaging in behaviours she felt were inappropriate for her age and trying to grow up too quickly.

Before undergoing ECT, Jackson said she had tried “everything,” including multiple medications and treatment at “five different institutions.”

She also tried CBD, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

She recalled trying different forms of therapy, saying, “I had talked to the empty chair, held the pillow, beat the things with bats while screaming.”

Jackson also underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which she said “helped a little bit with [her] OCD but had no effect on [her] depression.”

Her psychiatrist subsequently brought up ECT as another treatment option.

Jackson now focuses on “holistic health” to make her recovery “sustainable” and sees a behavioral specialist for her OCD.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure performed under general anesthesia. During the treatment, small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure.

According to Mayo Clinic, ECT appears to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly improve symptoms of certain mental health conditions.

ECT is known to rapidly improve severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. It may be used for:

<ul><li>Severe depression with suicide risk</li><li>Treatment-resistant depression</li><li>Severe mania</li><li>Catatonia</li><li>Agitation and aggression in people with dementia</li></ul>

ECT may be considered when a person cannot tolerate medicines or has not found relief from other forms of treatment.

Can ECT Reduce Suicide Risk?

ECT can be used for severe depression accompanied by suicide risk and is known for rapidly improving severe depressive symptoms.

However, ECT is not a universal treatment for suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Its use depends on the individual's condition, medical history and response to other treatments, and it is administered under medical supervision.

Jackson also spoke about amnesia as one of the side effects of ECT.

“Friends visited me, and I don’t remember even seeing them [even though] I have evidence. … I don’t remember the conversations,” she said.

Memory problems are a known side effect of ECT and can affect a person's ability to recall events around the time of treatment.

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American model and actress Paris Jackson has opened up about battling depression and dealing with suicide attempts.In a recent podcast, Jackson revealed that she underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which she said helped her. While describing the treatment as “painful,” she said it was not a “barbaric” experience.The 28-year-old said she underwent nine ECT sessions over three weeks, with each session performed under general anesthesia.Paris Jackson Describes Her ECT ExperienceJackson recalled that she had to replace the metal from her facial piercings with plastic earrings before undergoing the treatment.“You go in, you get your hospital gown, they knock you out, strap you down, put a bite guard on your mouth [and] electrocute you,” she said while describing the procedure.“It helps with the neuroplasticity in your brain,” Paris continued. “If I’m not mistaken, it’s still the leading most effective form of depression treatment.”She said the first couple of sessions were “painful” and that she experienced significant side effects.“The first time I woke up, and it was the most sharp pain I have ever experienced inside of my head,” she recalled, describing it as soreness after being electrocuted. She also said there were days when she felt “completely not in my head at all.”Jackson Tried Several Treatments Before ECTJackson has previously opened up about her suicide attempts, describing her experience of self-hatred, low self-esteem and feelings that she was not worthy of living. She has also spoken about engaging in behaviours she felt were inappropriate for her age and trying to grow up too quickly.Before undergoing ECT, Jackson said she had tried “everything,” including multiple medications and treatment at “five different institutions.”She also tried CBD, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).She recalled trying different forms of therapy, saying, “I had talked to the empty chair, held the pillow, beat the things with bats while screaming.”Jackson also underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which she said “helped a little bit with [her] OCD but had no effect on [her] depression.”Her psychiatrist subsequently brought up ECT as another treatment option.Jackson now focuses on “holistic health” to make her recovery “sustainable” and sees a behavioral specialist for her OCD.What Is Electroconvulsive Therapy?Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure performed under general anesthesia. During the treatment, small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure.According to Mayo Clinic, ECT appears to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly improve symptoms of certain mental health conditions.When May ECT Be Recommended?ECT is known to rapidly improve severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. It may be used for:Severe depression with suicide riskTreatment-resistant depressionSevere maniaCatatoniaAgitation and aggression in people with dementiaECT may be considered when a person cannot tolerate medicines or has not found relief from other forms of treatment. Can ECT Reduce Suicide Risk?ECT can be used for severe depression accompanied by suicide risk and is known for rapidly improving severe depressive symptoms.However, ECT is not a universal treatment for suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Its use depends on the individual's condition, medical history and response to other treatments, and it is administered under medical supervision.ECT Side EffectsJackson also spoke about amnesia as one of the side effects of ECT.“Friends visited me, and I don’t remember even seeing them [even though] I have evidence. … I don’t remember the conversations,” she said.Memory problems are a known side effect of ECT and can affect a person's ability to recall events around the time of treatment.

paris jackson undergoes ‘painful’ ect for depression: can electroconvulsive therapy reduce suicide risk?

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Paris Jackson Undergoes ‘Painful’ ECT for Depression: Can Electroconvulsive Therapy Reduce Suicide Risk?

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Paris Jackson Undergoes ‘Painful’ ECT for Depression: Can Electroconvulsive Therapy Reduce Suicide Risk?

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