Comorbid Dysmorphic Disorder Persists after Successful Electroconvulsive Treatment for Depression

摘要

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment of severe depressive conditions. In many countries ECT is a last resort treatment. Comorbidities with other mental illnesses are common. We describe a case of unsuccessful treatment with medication and psychotherapy over more than four years in a patient with comorbid body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and depressive personality traits. Seven sessions of ECT relieved her depression but did not influence her body dysmorphic ideas. Relieving the depression may be a road to better treatment of BDD.