Professor John Read
@profjohnread.bsky.social
Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of East London
(views are my own)
Chair, International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
www.iipdw.org
Author, with Pete Sanders, “A Straight Talking Introduction to the Causes of Mental Health Problems”
(views are my own)
Chair, International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
www.iipdw.org
Author, with Pete Sanders, “A Straight Talking Introduction to the Causes of Mental Health Problems”
Pinned
ECT Patients Not Asked About Causes of Their Problems
An international survey of 1144 electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) patients and relatives has found that the causes of the patients' problems are ignored.
www.psychologytoday.com
ECT Patients Not Asked About Causes of Their Problems | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
Open Questions About Electroconvulsive Therapy Reveal Fuller Picture | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
Open Questions About Electroconvulsive Therapy Reveal Fuller Picture
When asked open questions about the effects of electroconvulsive therapy, 51% reported negative effects only, 3% reported positive outcomes only, and 46% reported a mixture.
www.psychologytoday.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Open Questions About Electroconvulsive Therapy Reveal Fuller Picture | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
Survey Finds Most ECT Patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
Survey Finds Most ECT Patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss
In our international survey, 71 percent of ECT patients reported reduced ability to retain new information, and 80 percent reported loss of autobiographical memories of events before ECT.
www.psychologytoday.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:09 AM
Survey Finds Most ECT Patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
Is It Time to Ban Electroconvulsive Therapy for Children? | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
Is It Time to Ban Electroconvulsive Therapy for Children?
Opinion: The case for ECT to be made illegal for children and adolescents.
www.psychologytoday.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Is It Time to Ban Electroconvulsive Therapy for Children? | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
New Global Study Finds ECT Linked to Wide Range of Harms | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
New Global Study Finds ECT Linked to Wide Range of Harms
It is well established that the most common adverse effect of electroconvulsive therapy is memory loss. Our latest paper reports on 25 other adverse effects in multiple domains.
www.psychologytoday.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:03 AM
New Global Study Finds ECT Linked to Wide Range of Harms | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
New Global Study Finds ECT Linked to Wide Range of Harms | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
New Global Study Finds ECT Linked to Wide Range of Harms
It is well established that the most common adverse effect of electroconvulsive therapy is memory loss. Our latest paper reports on 25 other adverse effects in multiple domains.
www.psychologytoday.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:00 AM
New Global Study Finds ECT Linked to Wide Range of Harms | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
Survey Finds Most ECT Patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
Survey Finds Most ECT Patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss
In our international survey, 71 percent of ECT patients reported reduced ability to retain new information, and 80 percent reported loss of autobiographical memories of events before ECT.
www.psychologytoday.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Survey Finds Most ECT Patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
The Gendered Experience of ECT: Insights From a Global Survey | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
The Gendered Experience of ECT: Insights From a Global Survey
Women are twice as likely as men to be given electroconvulsive therapy. Our international survey shows they are less likely to benefit and more likely to suffer memory loss.
www.psychologytoday.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:03 AM
The Gendered Experience of ECT: Insights From a Global Survey | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
The Gendered Experience of ECT: Insights From a Global Survey | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
The Gendered Experience of ECT: Insights From a Global Survey
Women are twice as likely as men to be given electroconvulsive therapy. Our international survey shows they are less likely to benefit and more likely to suffer memory loss.
www.psychologytoday.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:29 AM
The Gendered Experience of ECT: Insights From a Global Survey | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
Childhood%20Trauma%20and%20Recent%20Stressors%20Rarely%20Addressed%3B%20ECT%20Given%20Instead%20-%20Mad%20In%20America%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.madinamerica.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fchildhood-trauma-and-recent-stressors-rarely-addressed-ect-given-instead%2F
December 22, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Childhood%20Trauma%20and%20Recent%20Stressors%20Rarely%20Addressed%3B%20ECT%20Given%20Instead%20-%20Mad%20In%20America%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.madinamerica.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fchildhood-trauma-and-recent-stressors-rarely-addressed-ect-given-instead%2F
Reposted by Professor John Read
Re-floating my big feature on ECT ... A year old now but no less relevant. www.thebeliever.net/a-brilliant-... via @thebeliever.net
December 2, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Re-floating my big feature on ECT ... A year old now but no less relevant. www.thebeliever.net/a-brilliant-... via @thebeliever.net
ECT Patients Not Asked About Causes of Their Problems | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
ECT Patients Not Asked About Causes of Their Problems
An international survey of 1144 electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) patients and relatives has found that the causes of the patients' problems are ignored.
www.psychologytoday.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:48 AM
ECT Patients Not Asked About Causes of Their Problems | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
ECT Patients Not Asked About Causes of Their Problems | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
ECT Patients Not Asked About Causes of Their Problems
An international survey of 1144 electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) patients and relatives has found that the causes of the patients' problems are ignored.
www.psychologytoday.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:31 PM
ECT Patients Not Asked About Causes of Their Problems | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
Reposted by Professor John Read
“I Can’t Remember a Single Day”: New Survey Shows Disastrous Memory Effects of ECT - Mad In America www.madinamerica.com/2025/09/i-ca...
“I Can’t Remember a Single Day”: New Survey Shows Disastrous Memory Effects of ECT
114 people told us they lost vital memories from before ECT, like getting married, birthdays, and family events.
www.madinamerica.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:17 PM
“I Can’t Remember a Single Day”: New Survey Shows Disastrous Memory Effects of ECT - Mad In America www.madinamerica.com/2025/09/i-ca...
Reposted by Professor John Read
#EmotionalWellbeing
⚡️research is so flawed/inconclusive that #ECT wld have..no chance of obtaining #MHRA approval in the #UK/ #FDA in #USA, if introduced today⚡️ @profjohnread.bsky.social
🚨 #ECT mainly given to older women, 1/3 receiving it against their will🚨
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
⚡️research is so flawed/inconclusive that #ECT wld have..no chance of obtaining #MHRA approval in the #UK/ #FDA in #USA, if introduced today⚡️ @profjohnread.bsky.social
🚨 #ECT mainly given to older women, 1/3 receiving it against their will🚨
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Electroconvulsive therapy may have more adverse effects than thought
Study calls for depression treatment to be suspended for more research after reports of heart problems and emotional blunting
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
#EmotionalWellbeing
⚡️research is so flawed/inconclusive that #ECT wld have..no chance of obtaining #MHRA approval in the #UK/ #FDA in #USA, if introduced today⚡️ @profjohnread.bsky.social
🚨 #ECT mainly given to older women, 1/3 receiving it against their will🚨
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
⚡️research is so flawed/inconclusive that #ECT wld have..no chance of obtaining #MHRA approval in the #UK/ #FDA in #USA, if introduced today⚡️ @profjohnread.bsky.social
🚨 #ECT mainly given to older women, 1/3 receiving it against their will🚨
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Professor John Read
The IIPDW is a UK charity. We rely solely on the support of individuals like you to keep going. If you share our vision of a world where everyone has access to informed consent & safe, supported withdrawal, please consider donating on our website youtu.be/bVhcDhf62u8 Thank you.
IIPDW Fundraising Video 2025
YouTube video by Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The IIPDW is a UK charity. We rely solely on the support of individuals like you to keep going. If you share our vision of a world where everyone has access to informed consent & safe, supported withdrawal, please consider donating on our website youtu.be/bVhcDhf62u8 Thank you.
A timely reminder?
Cognitive Dissonance, Collective Trauma, and the Middle East | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
Cognitive Dissonance, Collective Trauma, and the Middle East | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
Cognitive Dissonance, Collective Trauma, and the Middle East
Considering cognitive dissonance and intergenerational trauma may help avoid one-sided responses to the tragedy in the Middle East.
www.psychologytoday.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:40 PM
A timely reminder?
Cognitive Dissonance, Collective Trauma, and the Middle East | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
Cognitive Dissonance, Collective Trauma, and the Middle East | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
“I Can’t Remember a Single Day”: New Survey Shows Disastrous Memory Effects of ECT - Mad In America www.madinamerica.com/2025/09/i-ca...
“I Can’t Remember a Single Day”: New Survey Shows Disastrous Memory Effects of ECT
114 people told us they lost vital memories from before ECT, like getting married, birthdays, and family events.
www.madinamerica.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:17 PM
“I Can’t Remember a Single Day”: New Survey Shows Disastrous Memory Effects of ECT - Mad In America www.madinamerica.com/2025/09/i-ca...
“I Can’t Remember a Single Day”: New Survey Shows Disastrous Memory Effects of ECT - Mad In America www.madinamerica.com/2025/09/i-ca...
“I Can’t Remember a Single Day”: New Survey Shows Disastrous Memory Effects of ECT
114 people told us they lost vital memories from before ECT, like getting married, birthdays, and family events.
www.madinamerica.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
“I Can’t Remember a Single Day”: New Survey Shows Disastrous Memory Effects of ECT - Mad In America www.madinamerica.com/2025/09/i-ca...
Survey Finds Most ECT Patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/psyc...
Survey Finds Most ECT Patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss
In our international survey, 71 percent of ECT patients reported reduced ability to retain new information, and 80 percent reported loss of autobiographical memories of events before ECT.
www.psychologytoday.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Survey Finds Most ECT Patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/psyc...
Survey Finds Most ECT patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
Log in | Psychology Today United Kingdom
www.psychologytoday.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Survey Finds Most ECT patients Suffer Long-term Memory Loss | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psyc...
80 Years On, Do We Know If Electroconvulsive Therapy Works? | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
80 Years On, Do We Know If Electroconvulsive Therapy Works?
My first contact with ECT was in 1973 on a Bronx psychiatric ward, where I worked as a naïve nursing aide. I ended up throwing up in the car park.
www.psychologytoday.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:06 AM
80 Years On, Do We Know If Electroconvulsive Therapy Works? | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyc...
Reposted by Professor John Read
“…."Our international survey, the largest ever conducted, seems to confirm audits of ECT leaflets, in Australia and the U.K., which found that the principle of informed consent is being consistently breached," the group wrote in the Journal of Medical Ethics…” #biorisks
Electroconvulsive Therapy Patients Often Not Fully Informed of Risks, Study Suggests www.medpagetoday.com/psychiatry/g...
Electroconvulsive Therapy Patients Often Not Fully Informed of Risks, Study Suggests
Researchers question whether principle of informed consent is being breached
www.medpagetoday.com
August 17, 2025 at 8:51 PM
“…."Our international survey, the largest ever conducted, seems to confirm audits of ECT leaflets, in Australia and the U.K., which found that the principle of informed consent is being consistently breached," the group wrote in the Journal of Medical Ethics…” #biorisks
Electroconvulsive Therapy Patients Often Not Fully Informed of Risks, Study Suggests www.medpagetoday.com/psychiatry/g...
Electroconvulsive Therapy Patients Often Not Fully Informed of Risks, Study Suggests
Researchers question whether principle of informed consent is being breached
www.medpagetoday.com
August 17, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Electroconvulsive Therapy Patients Often Not Fully Informed of Risks, Study Suggests www.medpagetoday.com/psychiatry/g...
ECT: New Studies Detail Harms, Lack of Efficacy, Lack of Informed Consent - Mad In America www.madinamerica.com/2025/08/ect-...
ECT: New Studies Detail Harms, Lack of Efficacy, Lack of Informed Consent
Evidence from a huge survey of what people who have received ECT really think about what they were told, and about how ECT affected them.
www.madinamerica.com
August 17, 2025 at 7:05 PM
ECT: New Studies Detail Harms, Lack of Efficacy, Lack of Informed Consent - Mad In America www.madinamerica.com/2025/08/ect-...