Electroconvulsive Therapy in Pregnancy

Abstract

Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment in psychiatry despite variable community views. It is considered a first-line treatment option for severe depression (associated with high suicide risk, catatonic signs, and/or psychotic symptoms), functional catatonia, and severe psychotic agitation (acute mania or psychosis). It is also an effective treatment option for depression that is unresponsive to multiple trials of antidepressant medications with response rates close to 70 % in some studies. The current evidence suggests that pregnant women who present with the above indications for ECT should not per se be excluded from accessing ECT. There are specific consi..