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Practitioner Review: Electroconvulsive Therapy in Adolescents
Author(s) -
Walter Garry,
Rey Joseph M.,
Mitchell Philip B.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/1469-7610.00450
Subject(s) - electroconvulsive therapy , psychology , population , psychiatry , psychotherapist , clinical psychology , medicine , cognition , environmental health
There is increasing interest regarding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in young persons but limited information about its optimal use. This paper reviews the indications, effectiveness, and side effects of the treatment in the teenage population and their implications for everyday clinical practice. There is particular reference to factors influencing the clinician to recommend or advise against convulsive therapy, steps in the assessment of patients, and consent issues. Practical aspects of ECT administration are also examined, including treatment locale, anaesthesia, electrode position, stimulus characteristics, EEG monitoring, and use of psychotropics during and after the ECT course.