Paris Jackson revealed on a recent podcast that she underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat depression, describing the experience as "painful" but ultimately effective.
Speaking on Jay Shetty's "On Purpose" podcast, Jackson, 28, explained that she experienced "very, very close" calls with suicide attempts prior to the treatment. She underwent nine ECT sessions within three weeks, referring to the process as "getting electrocuted."
Jackson's psychiatrist assured her that modern ECT is not as "barbaric" as its historical reputation suggests, utilizing general anesthesia. The procedure involved being knocked out, strapped down, and having a bite guard placed in her mouth before electrical stimulation. Jackson noted that she had to replace facial piercings with plastic alternatives due to the electrical current.
"It helps with the neuroplasticity in your brain," Jackson stated, adding that she believes it remains "the leading most effective form of depression treatment."
The cover art for Jackson's album, "Happiest Day of My Life," was inspired by her ECT experience, depicting a hand holding her chin while she wears a bite guard.
Despite the treatment's effectiveness, Jackson experienced significant side effects, including intense head pain and temporary amnesia. She recalled waking up with "the most sharp pain I have ever experienced inside of my head" and noted instances where she did not remember friends visiting her.
While Jackson responded well to the therapy, the prospect of monthly treatments for life was not sustainable for her. She emphasized the importance of "integration," incorporating learned coping mechanisms and experiences into her daily life to prevent relapsing into previous states of depression.
Before ECT, Jackson had explored various other treatments, including medications, institutionalization, CBD, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). She mentioned that TMS provided some relief for her OCD but did not impact her depression.
Jackson has previously spoken about her struggles with self-hatred and low self-esteem, which led to suicide attempts in her early teens. She has been sober for six years and now focuses on "holistic health" and seeing a behavioral specialist for her OCD to maintain her recovery.