---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is an element of selfishness to…"
description: "\"“There is an element of selfishness to this, I suppose. It feels pretty good to be able to so quickly help someone. That is, after all, one of the grea..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/kitty-dukakis-85240_difficult-things_there-is-an-element-of-selfishness-to-th_2958486.jpg"
---

#  There is an element of selfishness to this, I suppose. It…

![“There is an element of selfishness to this, I suppose. It feels pretty good to be able to so quickly help someone. That is, after all, one of the great emotional payoffs of medicine. That isn't to say that ECT is either a panacea or without flaws - but when used in the right way for the right…” quote by Kitty Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/kitty-dukakis-85240_difficult-things_there-is-an-element-of-selfishness-to-th_2958486.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/kitty-dukakis-85240_difficult-things_there-is-an-element-of-selfishness-to-th_2958486.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/kitty-dukakis-85240_difficult-things_there-is-an-element-of-selfishness-to-th_2958486.jpg)

> ““There is an element of selfishness to this, I suppose. It feels pretty good to be able to so quickly help someone. That is, after all, one of the great emotional payoffs of medicine. That isn't to say that ECT is either a panacea or without flaws - but when used in the right way for the right purposes it's of great benefit, and condemning it because it isn't perfect would lead to more suffering and harm, no less. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life. I have memory problems as a residual of it; however, I'm alive. That was the main point.””

[Kitty Dukakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kitty-dukakis/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

ECT can be a valuable, albeit imperfect, tool in medicine, offering relief when used appropriately despite its flaws.

**In simple terms:** ECT helps but isn’t perfect.

Key Takeaway

Use treatments wisely, acknowledging limits.

Themes

medicine ethics mental health treatment risk

Mood

cautious hopeful

Type

clinical ethical

When to use this quote

- clinical decision‑making
- patient counseling
- medical education

Key Concepts

electroconvulsive therapy benefit‑risk analysis patient autonomy

Questions to Reflect On

- When is ECT justified?
- How to balance benefits against harms?

A Different Perspective

ECT carries risks and may cause side effects.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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