My ex wife had it when she was 13 for behaviour management. In my opinion, she should have been shot not shocked. (Well, not really).
Didn't find out about it until we were married. Among a host of other little goodies that she kept rather quiet.
ECT is done only for severe things now under strict conditions and most importantly, with the patient's consent. I also believe it is performed under a general anaesthetic as well, which greatly reduces patient distress.
At least it is in Oz.
Here's a little personal story:
http://www.ibpf.org/blog/my-experience-ect-0
All I know about Thorazine is that it is an anti psychotic mainly used for treating bipolar and schizophrenia.
Perhaps the question to be asking here is what is life like without it? I should imagine for some it would be a godsend and for others, the opposite. No one thing ever fits all.