Maintenance electroconvulsive therapy for a neuroleptic-intolerant patient with disorganized schizophrenia.

Abstract

Owing to unresolved questions concerning the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of schizophrenia, and widespread negative attitudes toward ECT, maintenance ECT (mECT) is generally considered only as a last resort. Nevertheless, in some clinical situations, the advantages of mECT may outweigh the risks and associated concerns. We report the case of a patient suffering from disorganized schizophrenia who had life-threatening hematological side effects to treatment with antipsychotic agents. Long-term mECT was administered and the patient achieved remission with no notable side effects. He was able to maintain a peaceful daily routine and improved functioning. Considering the lack of controlled trials in this area, this case and other similar cases reported in the literature add support to a possible benefit of mECT in disorganized schizophrenia, particularly when pharmacotherapy is insufficient or contraindicated.

• Authors: Eyal Dahan, Evgenia Or, Avi Bleich, Yuval Melamed
• Journal: Clinical schizophrenia & related psychoses (Clin Schizophr Relat Psychoses) Vol. 8 Issue 4 Pg. 201-4 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 1941-2010 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23471089 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Antipsychotic Agents (adverse effects, blood)
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (methods)
• Ethiopia (ethnology)
• Humans
• Israel
• Leukopenia (blood, chemically induced)
• Male
• Schizophrenia, Disorganized (therapy)
• Treatment Outcome