Looking through the lens of stigma: Understanding and anticipating concerns about the responsible development and use of psychiatric electroceutical interventions (PEIs)

• Published in: SSM - mental health Vol. 4; p. 100261
• Main Authors: Cai Chen, Sandra, Bluhm, Robyn, Achtyes, Eric D., McCright, Aaron M., Cabrera, Laura Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.12.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Depression; Electroceuticals; Neuromodulation; Stigma; Depression; Electroceuticals; Stigma; Neuromodulation
• ISSN: 2666-5603; 2666-5603
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2023.100261

Psychiatric electroceutical interventions (PEIs) show promise for treating depression, but few studies have examined stakeholders' views on them. Using interview data and survey data that analyzed the views of psychiatrists, patients, caregivers, and the general public, a conceptual map was created to represent stakeholders’ views on four PEIs: electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and adaptive brain implants (ABIs). Stigma emerged as a key theme connecting diverse views, revealing that it is a significant factor in the acceptance and usage of PEIs. Stigma not only discourages seeking mental health services for depression but also inhibits the acceptance of PEIs. Addressing the pervasive and complex effects of stigma highlights the need to change societal attitudes toward mental illnesses and their treatments and to provide support to patients who may benefit from these interventions. The map also demonstrates the value of conceptual mapping for anticipating and mitigating ethical considerations in the development and use of PEIs. •Stigma emerged as the central theme in our conceptual mapping.•Stigma discourages seeking mental health services and inhibits acceptance of PEIs.•Mapping can unveil interconnected ethical and social considerations of PEIs.•There is continued need to change attitudes toward mental health and its treatment.