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Can ECT Effectively Treat Depression And Suicidal Ideation?
Question: My son had a breakdown.The first time was a year ago. Recently again close to collage finals.He has scizophenic symtoms. He is in the hospitol right now because he has been non Med compliant. He still does not want to his meds. Does not understand why he's there. They have tried Abilify 30 shot amount other things. My husband and I wanted them to try ECT. In Missouri you have to have two Doctor agree and then petition the court. One doctor would not agree so now they are trying Prolixin. Meanwhile my whole family is having a hard time dealing with the stress. Life is going by and I feel like they want to experiment with every drug out there and won't consider anything else . We don't know what to do. It's hard enough dealing with his mental illness but these road blocks are waging us down.
Brief Answer:
ECT for schizophrenia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
ECT (Electroconvulsive therapy) is most effective in the treatment of depression and suicidal ideation. In case of schizophrenia, ECT is not an initial choice.
ECT is indicated in schizophrenia only if the person is having recurrent psychotic episodes even while on medications, non-compliant to medications, unbearable side effects from antipsychotics and non-responsive to antipsychotic medications.
Since your son only had a single episode of psychosis a year ago, there is no need to go ahead to ECT right now.
You can definitely give Prolixin a try. Prolixin is a very strong dopamine antagonist and helps prevent psychotic symptoms.
If your son develops worsening symptoms even while on Prolixin and it is very difficult to get him to take the medication, then ECT is a good option.
At that point, you can discuss ECT with his psychiatrist and get a referral to another physician to approve ECT.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician
ECT for schizophrenia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
ECT (Electroconvulsive therapy) is most effective in the treatment of depression and suicidal ideation. In case of schizophrenia, ECT is not an initial choice.
ECT is indicated in schizophrenia only if the person is having recurrent psychotic episodes even while on medications, non-compliant to medications, unbearable side effects from antipsychotics and non-responsive to antipsychotic medications.
Since your son only had a single episode of psychosis a year ago, there is no need to go ahead to ECT right now.
You can definitely give Prolixin a try. Prolixin is a very strong dopamine antagonist and helps prevent psychotic symptoms.
If your son develops worsening symptoms even while on Prolixin and it is very difficult to get him to take the medication, then ECT is a good option.
At that point, you can discuss ECT with his psychiatrist and get a referral to another physician to approve ECT.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
No I said he first episode was last March.This is now his forth episode.He is non responsive and the side affects. Have been horrible. This is his 4 or 5th Med.He does'nt even think I'm his mother.If I have to pay another 20 dollars because you did'nt read my question right then my review will not be good.
Brief Answer:
ECT can be considered after trying injectable antipsychotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Kindly note that in your first question it sounded like this is his second episode. Please be assured that you won't be charged for the follow-up query.
From the information given I believe that your son has recurrent symptoms mainly because he is non-complaint to medications rather than being non-responsive.
So the best option now will be to try an injectable antipsychotic. Since his doctor is planning to try Prolixin, then switching to injectable Prolixin will be a good option.
The injection will be given once every 6 weeks. Then there is no issue of being complaint to take the medication orally.
Moreover, injectable antipsychotics are longer acting and more potent.
Try switching to injectable Prolixin and see how he responds.
ECT is not a good first-line treatment for schizophrenia and needs to be considered only after exhausting options with medications.
I understand that the situation you and your family are going through is tough.
But the key is to find the right medication at the right dose that works well for individual patients. And this can take time and trial of different antipsychotics.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician
ECT can be considered after trying injectable antipsychotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Kindly note that in your first question it sounded like this is his second episode. Please be assured that you won't be charged for the follow-up query.
From the information given I believe that your son has recurrent symptoms mainly because he is non-complaint to medications rather than being non-responsive.
So the best option now will be to try an injectable antipsychotic. Since his doctor is planning to try Prolixin, then switching to injectable Prolixin will be a good option.
The injection will be given once every 6 weeks. Then there is no issue of being complaint to take the medication orally.
Moreover, injectable antipsychotics are longer acting and more potent.
Try switching to injectable Prolixin and see how he responds.
ECT is not a good first-line treatment for schizophrenia and needs to be considered only after exhausting options with medications.
I understand that the situation you and your family are going through is tough.
But the key is to find the right medication at the right dose that works well for individual patients. And this can take time and trial of different antipsychotics.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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