Melancholia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity-A Case Report

Multiple chemical sensitivity is a nociplastic pain syndrome whereby individuals develop adverse somatic symptoms following exposure to various odorants and chemicals. The condition is debilitating, and optimal management is unclear. Electroconvulsive therapy has proven effective for management, but utilization remains low. Here is described a patient with multiple chemical sensitivity who was treated with ultra-brief pulse right unilateral electroconvulsive therapy, who also met Mahgoub's criteria for melancholic depression. The authors suggest that Mahgoub's clinical criteria for melancholia may prove useful for identifying cases of multiple chemical sensitivity that are responsive to electroconvulsive therapy.