Comments on: Psychotic Depression, ECT and Continuation Treatment in the Elderly http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/ A Neurostimulating Blog Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:16:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Dr Shock http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/comment-page-1/#comment-1076 Dr Shock Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:46:01 +0000 http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/#comment-1076 I can't give individual advices since I don't know the patient nor have seen her. All I can tell you that her age is not a contraindication for ECT. Regards Dr Shock I can’t give individual advices since I don’t know the patient nor have seen her. All I can tell you that her age is not a contraindication for ECT.
Regards Dr Shock

]]> By: R.Douglas MacDonald http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/comment-page-1/#comment-1069 R.Douglas MacDonald Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:50:31 +0000 http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/#comment-1069 I would be interested in what you would say about giving a 96 year old woman ECT. We are speaking here of someone who has suffered recurring bouts of depression throughout her entire adult life and who has recently been termed "bipolar." Recently she has been violent with staff and her fellow inmates at her long term care facility. One argument offered for the ECT is that her liver would be compromised by ongoing medications. It seems to me that there are risks with both treatments but that there may be greater risks to the brain and body through ECT. I am not a doctor, but I am a concerned son who would hesitate to give consent to such an extremely violent treatment. Which do you think offers the greater risk of a detrimental outcome? I would be interested in what you would say about giving a 96 year old woman ECT. We are speaking here of someone who has suffered recurring bouts of depression throughout her entire adult life and who has recently been termed “bipolar.” Recently she has been violent with staff and her fellow inmates at her long term care facility. One argument offered for the ECT is that her liver would be compromised by ongoing medications.

It seems to me that there are risks with both treatments but that there may be greater risks to the brain and body through ECT. I am not a doctor, but I am a concerned son who would hesitate to give consent to such an extremely violent treatment. Which do you think offers the greater risk of a detrimental outcome?

]]> By: Mary http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/comment-page-1/#comment-399 Mary Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:14:00 +0000 http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/#comment-399 I had 10 treatments, and I would never ever do it again. It didn't help me at all, only gave me memory loss...Mary I had 10 treatments, and I would never ever do it again. It didn’t help me at all, only gave me memory loss…Mary

]]> By: Dr. Shock http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/comment-page-1/#comment-390 Dr. Shock Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:53:00 +0000 http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/#comment-390 Yes, tricyclic antidepressants are used in most studies about continuation treatment after ECT. SSRIs haven't been studied at all after ECT. TCA's are believed to be more appropriate with severe depression.<br/><br/>The difference between continuation treatment and maintenance treatment is arbitrary but continuation treatment is to prevent relapse and maintenance treatment is to prevent recurrence. The continuation phase is 6 months and maintenance treatment after 6 months.<br/>Regards Dr Shock Yes, tricyclic antidepressants are used in most studies about continuation treatment after ECT. SSRIs haven’t been studied at all after ECT. TCA’s are believed to be more appropriate with severe depression.

The difference between continuation treatment and maintenance treatment is arbitrary but continuation treatment is to prevent relapse and maintenance treatment is to prevent recurrence. The continuation phase is 6 months and maintenance treatment after 6 months.
Regards Dr Shock

]]> By: kara http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/comment-page-1/#comment-389 kara Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:48:00 +0000 http://www.shockmd.com/2008/07/04/psychotic-depression-ect-and-continuation-treatment-in-the-elderly/#comment-389 Hey Dr. Shock,<br/><br/>Is there a reason that most research is done with tricyclic antidepressants on continuation ECT rather than the newer ones? And is continuation ECT different from maintanance ECT?<br/><br/>I'm just curious! I had ECT a month ago, 5 treatmts., and am fascinated with learning about it. I begin again Monday for another series; I guess I quit too soon!<br/><br/>Anyway, I enjoy your blog. <br/>Kara Hey Dr. Shock,

Is there a reason that most research is done with tricyclic antidepressants on continuation ECT rather than the newer ones? And is continuation ECT different from maintanance ECT?

I’m just curious! I had ECT a month ago, 5 treatmts., and am fascinated with learning about it. I begin again Monday for another series; I guess I quit too soon!

Anyway, I enjoy your blog.
Kara

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