Successful Electroconvulsive Therapy for a 57-Year-Old Woman With Major Depressive Disorder and Dissociative Disorder

Patients with dissociative disorders may have comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD), which is often difficult to treat. We report the case of a 57-year-old female patient with dissociative disorder comorbid with MDD who did not respond to multiple medications and psychotherapy and was treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The patient showed a reduction of greater than 50% in both Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Dissociative Experiences Scale-II scores after ECT, indicating a significant improvement in both depressive and dissociative symptoms. Electroconvulsive therapy was effective not only for MDD but also potentially for dissociative symptoms. Thus, ECT may be considered a treatment option for patients with MDD and comorbid dissociative disorders.