Electroconvulsive therapy in a man with autism experiencing severe depression, catatonia, and self-injury.
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.
Wachtel
Lee Elizabeth
LE
Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21209, USA. wachtel@kennedykrieger.org
Griffin
Merrie
M
Reti
Irving Michael
IM
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002389:Catatonia / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D055815:Young Adult
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs