Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy on an Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Unit

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. The authors discuss brief history of this procedure, legal and ethical considerations, common indications and contraindications, appropriate referrals, details of the procedure, and adverse effects in this population. ECT is mainly used for treatment of treatment-resistant mood disorder/psychosis and catatonia although it has been effectively used for other conditions including neuroleptic malignant syndrome, refractory self-injurious behavior. A careful consideration of patient's medical and psychiatric history is important before considering ECT. Informed consent should involve patient and parents and patient's assent is crucial before initiating the procedure.