In legislative hearings and debates regarding ECT, detractors often say that psychiatrists "never use ECT for themselves or their families." Most practitioners know this is not true; our group is attempting to document examples and demographics of such patients.

I should very much appreciate hearing from any psychiatrist colleague who has had treatment experience with ECT for either himself or herself or a close relative.

Two kinds of responses would be useful to our study: (1) those who wish only to be "counted," without any identifying information for follow-up, and (2) those who are willing to provide a means for us to obtain additional or clarifying details. In both forms of response, we would like to know the patient's age at time of treatment, sex, ethnic background, general diagnosis, and relationship to the responding (not treating) psychiatrist (for example, self, parent, spouse, sibling, offspring). Outcome data would be useful; however, our purpose is epidemiologic rather than outcome related. Of course, no identifying information will be published.

Brief case reports of personally treating a clinician (for example, physician, nurse, psychotherapist) are welcome as well, but respondents are asked to be very clear as to whether the patient is a relative.

Information may be sent to William H. Reid, M.D., P.O. Box 49817, Austin, Tex. 78765; fax: (512) 756-4860; e-mail: 75116.1076@compuserve.com. Summary results will be provided upon request.

Many thanks for your help.

William H. Reid, M.D., M.P.H.

Austin, Tex.

(Psychiatric News, September 20, 1996)