122 Journal of Mood Disorders Volume: 4, Number: 3, 2014 - www.jmood.org Case Report / Olgu Sunumu DOI: 10.5455/jmood.20140407121239 1 Department of Psychiatry, Yuzuncuyil University, Van-Turkey Yazışma Adresi / Address reprint requests to: Osman Özdemir, Department of Psychiatry, Yuzuncuyil University, Van-Turkey Elektronik posta adresi / E-mail address: drosmanozdemir@yahoo.com Kabul tarihi / Date of acceptance: 7 Nisan 2014 / April 7,2014 Bağıntı beyanı: O.Ö., E.Y., E.A.: Yazarlar bu makale ile ilgili olarak herhangi bir çıkar çatışması bildirmemişlerdir. Declaration of interest: O.Ö., E.Y., E.A.: The authors reported no conflict of interest related to this article. ÖZET: Elektrokonvülsifterapi (EKT) anksiyete bozukluğu ya da psikozda etkili bir tedavi midir? İki vaka bildirimi Elektrokonvülsif terapinin (EKT) birincil endikasyonları özellikle melankolik, katatonik veya psikotik özellikli olan depresyondur. Ayrıca EKT akut mani ve psikotik hecmeler- de kullanılabilmektedir. Bunlara ek olarak gebelik dönemi psikiyatrik hastalıklarda güvenle kullanılabilen bir tedavi seçeneğidir. Fakat EKT’nin anksiyete ve psikotik bozukluk- larda etkinliği sınırlıdır. Bu çalışmada EKT’nin etkili olmadığı iki vaka örneği sunulmuştur. Anahtar sözcükler: elektrokonvülsif terapi, psikoz, anksiyete Journal of Mood Disorders 2014;4(3):122-5 ABSTRACT: Is electroconvulsivetherapy (ECT) effective in the treatment of psychosis or anxiety disorders? Report of two cases The primary indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is major depressive disorder, especially with melancholic, psychotic, or catatonic features. In addition, ECT is an effective treatment for symptoms of acute mania and schizophrenia. It is also a good and safe primary treatment option for psychiatric disorders during pregnancy. However, the effects of ECT in both chronic psychosis and anxiety disorders are limited. In this study, we present two cases of patients treated with ECT, which was ineffective. Key words: electroconvulsive therapy, psychosis, anxiety disorders Journal of Mood Disorders 2014;4(3):122-5 Is Electroconvulsivetherapy (ECT) Effective in The Treatment of Psychosis or Anxiety Disorders? Report of Two Cases Osman Özdemir 1 , Ekrem Yıllmaz 1 , Ercan Atilla 1 INTRODUCTION Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), formerly known as electroshock, is an effective medical procedure in which carefully controlled electrical currents are passed throughout the brain to trigger a brief seizure for the treatment of severe psychiatric disorders. ECT is typically rapid acting and especially used when other treatments are unsuccessful. Clinical Indications The primary indication for ECT is a major depressive disorder, especially with melancholic, psychotic, or catatonic features. It must also be considered when there is an inadequate response to antidepressant drugs and an increased risk of suicide. In addition, ECT is an effective treatment for symptoms of acute mania and schizophrenia. It is also a good and safe primary treatment option for psychiatric disorders during pregnancy. Other indications include certain medical and neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and intractable seizure disorder (1-3). CASE 1 A 50-year-old man was admitted to the in-patient psychiatric ward at the medical center with the following symptoms; talking to himself, poor self-care, restlessness, frequent hospital admissions, and inappropriate speech. His symptoms started about four years ago, and prior to the onset of his somatic symptoms (within the past few months), he exhibited social withdrawal, reduced speech, nervousness, insomnia, and also telling his family things like: “All of us will die,” “We will be ill,” “We will be like a stone,” and “We are ill.” When his somatic symptoms started, he pounded his head, saying: “My head is like a stone,” and held his shoulder, saying: “My body is seared.” So, he spent a large sum of money going to different general medical practitioners, despite normal laboratory,