The effect of electroconvulsive therapy on suicide risk in patients with mood disorders

Abstract

Objective: To discuss the effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on suicide risk in patients with mood disorders. Method: A review of the available data on the short-term and long-term effects of ECT on suicide mortality among patients with mood disorders. Conclusion: 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.