Use of electroconvulsive therapy with children: an overview and case report.

TOPIC

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has become more common in the treatment of adults with refractory mood disorders and psychotic disorders but it remains one of the least common therapies for mental illness in children. In a small number of child psychiatry cases, symptoms are severe and unresponsive to standard pharmacological and other therapies. With these patients, ECT might be helpful.

PURPOSE

This article provides an overview of ECT, indications for its use and a case report that illustrates the successful use of ECT with an 8-year-old girl with psychotic depression. Implications for multidisciplinary care are discussed, including preparation of the patient and family, assessment of response to ECT, management of adverse effects, preparation for discharge and discharge care.

SOURCES

Existing literature on the use of ECT in adults, adolescents, and children and the clinical experience of providing care to an 8-year-old patient on an acute care inpatient unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses and other healthcare personnel should consider ECT in refractory cases of major depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders.