Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry Updates Treatment Dilemmas: ECT for Depressed Teens
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Oct 28, 2024 David Rosenberg, a leading expert in child and adolescent psychiatry, sheds light on the controversial use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for treating severe depression in teens. He discusses a significant study revealing that ECT can achieve over 70% success rates, highlighting its potential as a last resort for treatment-resistant cases. Rosenberg emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment and the impact of factors like age and co-existing disorders on ECT outcomes. It's a thought-provoking conversation on navigating critical mental health dilemmas.
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ECT Effective in Majority of Teens
- Over 70% of adolescents with severe depression and suicidality responded positively to ECT treatment in the study.
- Effectiveness improved with older age, enough ECT sessions, and absence of OCD comorbidity, revealing key outcome predictors.
Adequate ECT Sessions Needed
- Administer at least 8 to 12 ECT sessions to reduce the risk of ineffective treatment.
- Fewer than four sessions significantly increase the chance ECT will not work well for adolescents.
OCD Predicts Poor ECT Response
- Comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) markedly diminishes ECT's effectiveness in adolescent depression.
- OCD serves as a strong negative predictor of response to ECT treatment in this population.