Electroconvulsive therapy for comorbid major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. 2007

Bradley V Watts
VA Outcomes Group Research Enhancement Awards Program, VA National Center for Patient Safety, White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT 05001, USA. bradley.v.watts@dartmouth.edu

OBJECTIVE Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder frequently co-occur. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for refractory major depressive disorder. We examined the effect of ECT in patients with co-occurring major depression and PTSD. METHODS Using a retrospective chart review, we examined the outcome of the cases of 26 patients with major depression and co-occurring PTSD who received a course of ECT. The patients received either suprathreshold right unilateral, bilateral, or a combination of both. Using paired t test analysis, we compared the pretreatment and the posttreatment symptoms using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the PTSD Checklist. RESULTS The patients receiving ECT had a significant reduction in the symptoms of major depression and some amelioration in PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Electroconvulsive therapy may be an effective treatment for patients with refractory depression and co-occurring PTSD.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009511 New England The geographic area of New England in general and when the specific state or states are not indicated. States usually included in this region are Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Northeastern United States
D003865 Depressive Disorder, Major Disorder in which five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure. Symptoms include: depressed mood most of the day, nearly every daily; markedly diminished interest or pleasure in activities most of the day, nearly every day; significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain; Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day; psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day; fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day; feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt; diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day; or recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt. (DSM-5) Depression, Involutional,Major Depressive Disorder,Melancholia, Involutional,Paraphrenia, Involutional,Psychosis, Involutional,Depressive Disorders, Major,Involutional Depression,Involutional Melancholia,Involutional Paraphrenia,Involutional Paraphrenias,Involutional Psychoses,Involutional Psychosis,Major Depressive Disorders,Paraphrenias, Involutional,Psychoses, Involutional
D004565 Electroconvulsive Therapy Electrically induced CONVULSIONS primarily used in the treatment of severe AFFECTIVE DISORDERS and SCHIZOPHRENIA. Convulsive Therapy, Electric,ECT (Psychotherapy),Electroshock Therapy,Shock Therapy, Electric,Convulsive Therapies, Electric,Electric Convulsive Therapies,Electric Convulsive Therapy,Electric Shock Therapies,Electric Shock Therapy,Electroconvulsive Therapies,Electroshock Therapies,Shock Therapies, Electric,Therapies, Electric Convulsive,Therapies, Electric Shock,Therapies, Electroconvulsive,Therapies, Electroshock,Therapy, Electric Convulsive,Therapy, Electric Shock,Therapy, Electroconvulsive,Therapy, Electroshock
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old

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