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ECT in dissociative identity disorder and comorbid depression
C DeBattista1, H B Solvason, D Spiegel
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5546, USA.
The Journal of ECT
|January 1, 1999
Summary
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) with major depression can involve self-harm. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may help depression symptoms in DID patients without worsening their DID.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Dissociative identity disorder (DID), formerly multiple personality disorder, frequently co-occurs with major depressive disorder.
- Severe self-destructive behaviors can complicate DID presentations.
Observation:
- This report details four cases of DID patients experiencing severe self-destructive behavior and comorbid major depression.
- These patients underwent treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Findings:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) demonstrated efficacy in alleviating major depressive symptoms in three out of four DID patients.
- ECT did not appear to negatively impact the dissociative symptoms or identity states in these individuals.
Implications:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be a viable treatment option for comorbid depression in patients with dissociative identity disorder (DID).
- Further research is warranted to explore the safety and efficacy of ECT in this complex patient population.
- A careful risk-benefit analysis is essential when considering ECT for individuals with DID.