Do you think doctors are more likely to use psychiatric patients as "guinea pigs" for controversial treatments?

More specifically, do you think they are more likely to be coerced into agreeing to a treatment that someone of sound mind would turn down?

I have an escalated interest in this after witnessing how my Mum was treated, her doctor had her sign off on getting ECT (Electroconvulsive therapy) after an extensive hospital stay. She had been diagnosed as not “sound of mind” and “unable to make rational decisions”. At this point, do you think they should have called in next of kin to discuss the options BEFORE having her agree to the procedures?

ECT’s are already highly controversial in the field of psychiatric care, particularly in the United States. So, to convince someone who is ill already that they should undergo extreme treatment – even though they have already been told they are incapable of rational thought – seems absurd to me.

The doctor was not thorough with his explanation of what it would entail or how it would effect her afterwards. Her memory was greatly impacted and still (over one year later) has not returned to normal. Not to mention that (in my knowledge) inducing seizures in the body can be harmful both for the brain and the body. She has experienced many side effects with almost no lasting positive results. Had she been of sound mind, she would have said no and potentially avoided a lot of pain that has followed these treatments.

What are you thoughts on the coercion of committed psychiatric patients and controversial medical treatments without speaking with spouses or children?