Electroconvulsive therapy in a man with autism experiencing severe depression, catatonia, and self-injury

J ECT. 2010 Mar;26(1):70-3. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0b013e3181a744ec.

Abstract

We report the successful use of electroconvulsive therapy in a 19-year-old man with autism and mild mental retardation who developed severe depression with repeated suicide attempts, multiple symptoms of catatonia, and life-threatening repetitive self-injurious behaviors. After 3 years of failed psychotropic and behavioral interventions in inpatient settings, the patient demonstrated excellent remission of symptoms with bilateral electroconvulsive therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / complications*
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology
  • Autistic Disorder / therapy*
  • Catatonia / complications*
  • Catatonia / psychology
  • Catatonia / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / complications*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / complications
  • Intellectual Disability / psychology
  • Male
  • Psychomotor Agitation / complications
  • Psychomotor Agitation / psychology
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / complications*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / therapy*
  • Suicide, Attempted
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs