Case study: Electric shock therapy in China for internet 'addiction''My mum saw the adverts on television. They demonised the internet and after watching them she believed I was sick'
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Tania Branigan in Beijing guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 14 July 2009 16.00 BST Article history
Teng Fei, given electric shock treatment in China. Photograph: Teng Fei
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Teng Fei, 17, was given electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) for internet addiction at a centre in China.
When Teng Fei's mother told him that his dad had been taken ill the horrified teenager rushed straight to hospital.
But it was a ruse and within hours he underwent the painful treatment. He was given ECT many more times in the following weeks.
"It was really painful – just like a needle piercing through my brain," he said.
Teng Fei insists he never had a problem in the first place and does not believe that internet addiction exists.
"I admit the internet can be quite alluring and sometimes I would use it all day, but if I had other things to do – like playing basketball – I wouldn't use it at all," he said.
"Then my mum saw the adverts on television. They demonised the internet and after watching them she believed I was sick and it was very serious."
He was given ECT for the first time when he resisted admission to the clinic.
"I can't remember how many times [they gave me shocks], but it must have been dozens. They would let me rest for a while then give me another. The session lasted about half an hour," he said.
"I struggled and tried to get up and they said it meant I still did not agree to stay so they gave me more shocks for another half an hour … I agreed to stay because I really couldn't stand any more of it."
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Tania Branigan in Beijing guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 14 July 2009 16.00 BST Article history
Teng Fei, given electric shock treatment in China. Photograph: Teng Fei
--------------------------
Teng Fei, 17, was given electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) for internet addiction at a centre in China.
When Teng Fei's mother told him that his dad had been taken ill the horrified teenager rushed straight to hospital.
But it was a ruse and within hours he underwent the painful treatment. He was given ECT many more times in the following weeks.
"It was really painful – just like a needle piercing through my brain," he said.
Teng Fei insists he never had a problem in the first place and does not believe that internet addiction exists.
"I admit the internet can be quite alluring and sometimes I would use it all day, but if I had other things to do – like playing basketball – I wouldn't use it at all," he said.
"Then my mum saw the adverts on television. They demonised the internet and after watching them she believed I was sick and it was very serious."
He was given ECT for the first time when he resisted admission to the clinic.
"I can't remember how many times [they gave me shocks], but it must have been dozens. They would let me rest for a while then give me another. The session lasted about half an hour," he said.
"I struggled and tried to get up and they said it meant I still did not agree to stay so they gave me more shocks for another half an hour … I agreed to stay because I really couldn't stand any more of it."
