Pregnancy electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly efficacious treatment for MDD. The response rate is about 80% to 90% and even exceeds 50% for patients who have failed pharmacotherapy.16,17 ECT may be particularly beneficial for MDD that is complicated by psychotic features, severe suicidality, refusal to eat, pregnancy, or contraindication/non-response to pharmacotherapy.16,17 ECT is typically a very safe treatment alternative, but various cautions do exist, and the chief side effects are confusion and memory impairment.16... 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used for severe mania or depression during pregnancy and for mixed episodes prior to treatment, anticonvulsants, lithium, and benzodiazepines should be tapered off to maximize therapy and minimize adverse effects. 

Electroconvulsive therapy, an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy (Eorssman, 1955 Impastato et ah, 1964), should be considered when other... 

Miller, L.J. (1994) Use of electroconvulsive therapy during pregnancy. Hosp Community Psychiatry 45 444—450. 

Repke, J.T. and Berger, N.G. (1984) Electroconvulsive therapy in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 63 39S-41S. 

Wisner, K.L. and Perel,J.M. (1988) Psychopharmacologic agents and electroconvulsive therapy during pregnancy and the puerperium. In Cohen, R.L., ed. Psychiatric Consultation in Childbirth Settings. New York Plenum, pp. 165-206. 

Casey DA, Davis MH Obsessive-compulsive disorder responsive to electroconvulsive therapy in an elderly woman. South Med J 87 862-864, 1994 Casey ML, McDonald PC, Simpson ER Endocrinological changes in pregnancy, in Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, 7th Edition. Edited by Wilson JD, Doster DW. Philadelphia, PA, WB Saunders, 1985, pp 442-447 Casper JL Bigraphic d une idee fixe. Traduction de Lalaune G. Archiv de Neurologic 1 270-287, 1902... 

Walker R, Swartz CM. Electroconvulsive therapy during high-risk pregnancy. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 1994 16 348-353. 

Consider alternative therapies when feasible, such as antipsychotics or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) modified for pregnancy. 

For patients who experience a breakthrough episode, the medication dose should first be optimized. When first-line medications at optimal dose fail to control symptoms, recommended treatment options include the addition of another first-line medication. Alternative treatment options include adding carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine in lieu of an additional first-line medication, adding an antipsychotic if not already prescribed, or changing from one antipsychotic to another. Of the antipsychotics, clozapine may be particularly effective for treatment of refractory illness. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may also be considered for patients with severe or treatment-resistant illness. In addition, ECT is a potential treatment for patients with mixed episodes or for severe mania experienced during pregnancy. 

In 1938, Ugo Gerletti and Lucino Bini introduced a technique called electroconvulsive therapy (EGT), which induced seizures electrically it quickly became the preferred method of treatment for mental illness. In its earliest applications, EGT was highly traumatic for patients it elicited a full-blown seizure that could result in broken bones, muscle tears, and permanent memory loss. The threat, or actual administration, of EGT was commonly used to punish or control patients. In modern psychiatry, EGT is administered with a protocol that minimizes trauma, injury, and memory loss, and it is considered a proven, effective treatment for patients with intractable depression and those who cannot take medication because of medical conditions or pregnancy. 

Excessive demands on their time and an unjust malpractice system damage physician morale. Some doctors have even stopped practicing medicine over these issues others refuse to perform certain procedures. There are communities, for example, where none of the obstetricians will deliver babies and no psychiatrist will perform electroconvulsive therapy. If you have a complicated pregnancy or suffer an intractable depression, good luck ... 

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