Demo Chapter – Non-Pharmacological Treatments Copy

Non-Pharmacological Treatments (4, 5, 6)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

• Most effective treatment for catatonia. (4)

• Probability of success is high, even in malignant catatonia.

• Especially indicated if pharmacologic treatment does not work.
  • It is generally a second-line treatment given if Benzodiazepines or other pharmacological treatments don’t work.

• ECT is safe and effective.
  • ECT is effective in up to 89% of patients with malignant catatonia (versus 40% with lorazepam only) and 85% of all types of catatonia.
  • There are no absolute contraindications to receiving ECT but cardiac and/or medical consultation can be sought prior to ECT treatment for patients who have been immobilized for a long period of time.

• Frequency of administration.
  • Daily ECT sessions for up to one week.
  • In some cases only a few sessions are needed for full effect.

• Bilateral ECT is preferred to unilateral ECT for full efficacy.