Paris Jackson reveals use of electroconvulsive therapy for depression

Paris Jackson has revealed that she underwent nine rounds of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat severe depression. While Jackson noted that the treatment felt as though it “was working”, she expressed that the prospect of receiving monthly treatments for the rest of her life was not a feasible long-term option.

ECT involves inducing a seizure by applying electricity to the head while the patient is under general anaesthetic. It is primarily used for depression, but is also applied to cases of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and catatonia. Medical guidelines, such as those from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, recommend ECT only in extreme circumstances, such as when a patient is suicidal or when other treatments have failed.

The treatment remains a subject of debate. A 2019 review of 11 placebo-controlled studies on ECT for depression found that the existing research was limited by small sample sizes and methodological flaws. Of those studies, four found ECT significantly superior to sham ECT, five found no difference, and two reported other results.