ECT in primary and secondary depression
Zorumski, C.F.; Rutherford, J.L.; Burke, W.J.; Reich, T.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 47(6): 298-300
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-6689 PMID: 3711027 Document Number: 282469
The response of depressive symptoms to ECT was studied in 58 subjects who met DSM-III criteria for major depression. For data analysis, the sample was divided by diagnosis into categories of primary unipolar depression, bipolar depression, and secondary depression. Only 56% of the secondary depression group had a partial or complete remission of depressive symptoms, but 91% of the primary unipolar group and 100% of the primary bipolar group improved. Subdividing the secondary depression group by primary diagnosis revealed a differential response, with alcoholism and schizophrenia having the most favorable outcomes.