Attempted self-administration of electroconvulsive therapy

Rarely, a misguided or delusional patient will attempt to self-administer a relatively more invasive form of medical or surgical treatment. I believe this report to be the first described case of an attempt to self-administer ECT. A patient with schizoaffective disorder reported benefits from regularly applied electric shocks modeled on previously administered ECT and delivered by a modified electric livestock fence. Such a practice exposes the patient to the risk of a variety of injuries.