Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for reducing suicidal ideation and intent in acutely depressed patients with mood and psychotic disorders. Modern ECT and anesthesia techniques have made contemporary ECT much safer and better tolerated than in the past. Patients with severe depression who are suicidal should be offered ECT as a treatment option early in the course of their illness. The reluctance to prescribe ECT, a result of unfamiliarity with, and prejudice against it, is likely responsible for preventable deaths by suicide, as well as prolongation of suffering from depressive illness. Additional epidemiological studies are urgently needed to provide accurate data about the role of ECT in reducing suicide rates

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.