Electroconvulsive Therapy Use among Depressive Inpatients : Position Statement

Abstract

Introduction: Major Depressive Disorder is one of the most common mental health problems around the world; while Electroconvulsive Therapy is one of the most common methods for treating the disorder; it has a correlated effect over patients with depression. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a position statement by the current author about using ECT treatment modalities among major depressive patients, especially those who are unresponsive to psychotropic drugs and psychotherapies. Methods: Search strategies included database of Pub Med, Google Scholar, and American Psychiatric Association; they provided many studies about the current topic using some words such as Depression, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Unresponsive, Benefits and Risks. Results: The current (as position statement) author supports the use of Electroconvulsive Therapy among major depressive patients especially those who are treatment resistant to other treatment modalities to enhance psychiatric symptoms and illness relief. Conclusion: Electroconvulsive therapy is considered an effective treatment modality of patients with major depression especially with severe cases and unresponsive to other treatments modalities. Although it has side effects such as being as life threatening for very strict cases, that can be prevented by holistic medical assessment and care.