Electroconvulsive therapy and benzodiazepine use in patients who committed suicide

While various aspects of suicide have been studied, there are few studies of particular modes of treatment. A unique opportunity to investigate electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) arose in two rural areas in Ireland. In one town, ECT is not used and there were no reports of suicide. In contrast, in an neighboring area where ECT is used, 30 cases of suicide were recorded from 1980 to 1989. These 30 cases of suicide and the influence of ECT and benzodiazepines are the subject of this study. We concluded that the rationale behind maintenance benzodiazepines in suicidal patients is questionable and that the efficacy of ECT in the prevention of suicide is doubtful.