Australia gives ECT to 4 year old children !!!

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24958938-2862,00.html


Australia gives ECT to 4 year old children !!!
January 27 2009 at 11:07 AM Anonymous


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http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24958938-2862,00.html>

Child shock therapy
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun
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Eleni Hale

January 25, 2009 12:00am

CHILDREN younger than four who are considered mentally disturbed are being treated with controversial electric shock treatment.

Medicare figures show the use of Electroconvulsive Therapy has tripled in Victoria in the private health sector alone in six years.

A VicHealth report confirms more than 18,000 treatments were conducted in Victoria in 2007-2008.

Federal Government statistics show the use of ECT - an electric shock delivered straight to the brain - in the state's private health system increased from 1944 treatments in 2001-2002 to 6009 in 2007-2008.

About 12,000 treatments were performed in the public health system last financial year.

Medicare statistics record 203 ECT treatments on children younger than 14 - including 55 aged four and younger.

Two of the under-4s were in Victoria.

Last financial year, 6197 ECT treatments were given to Victorians against their will.

This news comes as the Western Australian Government moves to ban ECT procedures for children under 12.

The Victorian Government would not say if it would follow.

The figures have shocked some experts.

Prof Pat McGorry, chair of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, said ECT treatment for children whose brains were still forming was worrying.

"That is of great concern, a very worrying trend and we need to know why," he said.


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