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Is Electroconvulsive Therapy Recommended For Depression?
Is electroconvulsive therapy a problem for an elderly man - 76, apoe 3/4 - who has mild short-term memory loss? Lifelong major depression, self-medicated with work, can no long work. Took Elavil in 70s, now takes Effexor + 10mg Abilify. Feels he s at the end of his useful life, feels hopeless. Major, major depression.
Fri, 8 Aug 2014
Hi,
Thanks for writing to us,
Indications of electroconvulsive therapy in Major depression is active suicidality, illness that is resistant to drugs after trying several medication, food refusal leading to medical complications etc. It is not necessary if the patient responds to drugs. One of the side effects of ECT is memory loss. If ECT is indicated in him, it would have to be done with a lot of caution by serially monitoring his mental status. The memory loss caused by ECTs may take upto 6 months to recover.
Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao
Thanks for writing to us,
Indications of electroconvulsive therapy in Major depression is active suicidality, illness that is resistant to drugs after trying several medication, food refusal leading to medical complications etc. It is not necessary if the patient responds to drugs. One of the side effects of ECT is memory loss. If ECT is indicated in him, it would have to be done with a lot of caution by serially monitoring his mental status. The memory loss caused by ECTs may take upto 6 months to recover.
Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao
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