Electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents: Similarities to and differences from adults

Objective: Information on the indications, technique, and effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in adolescent patients is scarce. The recom mendations for the use of ECT in this age group are similar to those in adu lts. This study compares the experience with ECT in the two age groups in t he same community psychiatric institution, which adheres to the accepted pr otocols for diagnosis and treatment. Method: The files of 24 consecutive ad olescent patients treated in an ECT unit located in the center of Israel in the years 1991-1995 were retrospectively examined, and the findings were c ompared with those in 33 adult patients who started their ECT course on the same day. The technique for applying ECT was essentially the same in the t wo age groups. Results: ECT was equally effective for adolescents and adult s (58% in each group achieved remission). The main difference was the diagn osis for which patients were referred: most of the adolescents were in the "psychotic spectrum," whereas most of the adults were in the "affective spe ctrum." Conclusions: The findings support the current medical recommendatio ns for the use of ECT in adolescents. Possible explanations for the differe nces in diagnosis between the two age groups are discussed.