William McDonald, M.D., The Emory Clinic
Question: Is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) ever used for treating depression in children/adolescents?
Answer: Children and adolescents can be treated with ECT. This would certainly be something you'd want to discuss in detail with your doctor. Our hospital for instance has a separate policy for children and adolescents, which requires that they be seen by an independent child psychiatrist before receiving ECT.
It's true that the response rates in younger adults -- perhaps older adolescents -- is a bit less than it is with older adults. And this may also be a factor to consider when treating a child or an adolescent.
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