The effect of electroconvulsive therapy on suicide risk in patients with mood disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on suicide risk in patients with mood disorders.


METHODS
A review of the available data on the short-term and long-term effects of ECT on suicide mortality among patients with mood disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
ECT has an acute but not a long-term beneficial effect on suicidality. Due to the significant limitations of studies in this area, however, the data need to be interpreted with caution.
Sharma
V
V
Mood Disorders Program, Regional Mental Health Care London, 850 Highbury Avenue North, London, ON N6A 4H1. vsharma@uwo.ca
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D000928:Antidepressive Agents