Citation

Youseff HA. Adv. Ther. 1990; 7(3): 153-158.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Springer Healthcare Communications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10149183

Abstract

While various aspects of suicide have been studied, there are few studies of particular modes of treatment. A unique opportunity to investigate electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) arose in two rural areas in Ireland. In one town, ECT is not used and there were no reports of suicide. In contrast, in an neighboring area where ECT is used, 30 cases of suicide were recorded from 1980 to 1989. These 30 cases of suicide and the influence of ECT and benzodiazepines are the subject of this study. We concluded that the rationale behind maintenance benzodiazepines in suicidal patients is questionable and that the efficacy of ECT in the prevention of suicide is doubtful.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Aged; Benzodiazepines; Combined Modality Therapy; Electroconvulsive Therapy; Female; Humans; Ireland; Male; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Suicide Prevention