FDA delays electric shock therapy ban amid industry lobbying and regulatory inertia
Original framing: “FDA quietly pushes back deadline on electric shock ban” — STAT News
The use of electric shock therapy dates back to the early 20th century, when it was marketed as a 'cure' for mental illness without robust evidence of safety or efficacy. Historical parallels include the forced lobotomies of the mid-20th century, which were similarly promoted by powerful institutions before being widely condemned. The FDA's delay echoes these patterns of institutional inertia and resistance to reform.
The FDA's delay in banning electric shock therapy is not an isolated policy misstep, but a symptom of a larger system in which corporate interests, institutional inertia, and biomedical dogma override patient safety and ethical considerations.
This delay reflects a historical pattern of institutional resistance to reform, similar to the delayed recognition of the harms of lobotomies and forced institutionalization. By centering the voices of survivors, expanding access to non-invasive alternatives, and increasing transparency in regulatory processes, we can begin to dismantle the structures that perpetuate harmful practices. Indigenous and cross-cultural perspectives offer valuable insights into holistic, community-based mental health care that challenge the dominant biomedical model. Ultimately, the path forward requires a systemic reimagining of mental health policy—one that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and evidence-based care over profit and institutional convenience.