ELECTROCONVULSIVE-THERAPY IN ADOLESCENTS

Objective: Recognizing the limited experience with electroconvulsive t herapy (ECT) in adolescent psychiatric patients, the authors evaluated the efficacy, indications, and benefit of the treatment in this popul ation. Method: The records of patients in the ECT rosters at Universit y Hospital at Stony Brook between 1983 and 1993 were reviewed. Thirtee n adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18 years who received ECT wer e identified. ECT followed the institution's standard adult protocol. Results: Ten patients were evaluated as responders, and three as nonre sponders. Patients with diagnoses of an affective illness, unspecified psychosis, and catatonia benefited the most. Some improvements were s een in the patients with schizophrenia. Eight patients (62%) were cont acted by telephone for follow-up. Five remain asymptomatic 3 years aft er the treatment, and three relapsed within 12 months despite maintena nce pharmacotherapy. Conclusion: Within the limitation of record revie w and partial follow-up, ECT was found to be an effective and useful p rocedure in the treatment of adolescents with severe psychiatric disor ders.