That is a good question, Colleen. I might have read more about ECT treatments in general. The person coordinating Xinli's care, as well as a number of the nurses gave me bits of information that gradually filled in what was happening.

Patients really need support though, and it is crucial to have someone who cares. One tragic aspect of mental illness is that it tends to wear people out, as every care give knows.

My sister, father, son, cousin and now my wife, I have been through a few rounds. Nothing is more exhausting than dealing with a mentally ill person. Those who work in the field have enormous resilience, for which one can only be grateful.