Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy on an Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Abhishek Wadhwa1, James T Cullinan1, Soumya Sivaraman2
1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurobiology, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|November 7, 2024
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective psychiatric treatment for children and adolescents. This review covers ECT
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Neurology
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a recognized treatment for specific psychiatric disorders.
- Its application in pediatric populations requires careful consideration of unique factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in pediatric patients.
- To discuss the history, indications, contraindications, procedures, and ethical aspects of ECT for children and adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in child and adolescent psychiatric populations.
- Discussion of legal, ethical, and clinical considerations for ECT administration in minors.
Main Results:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is established as a safe and effective treatment modality for pediatric psychiatric disorders.
- Primary indications include treatment-resistant mood disorders, psychosis, and catatonia, with efficacy in other conditions like neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
- Thorough medical and psychiatric history review, alongside informed consent from patients and parents, is critical.
Conclusions:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) offers a viable treatment option for severe psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents.
- Patient assent and comprehensive evaluation are paramount for safe and ethical ECT application in this age group.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Electroconvulsive Therapy
25
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early...
25
01:30Psychosurgery
46
Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
46