Severe Depression with Cotard's Phenomenon: Treatment of a Capacitated Patient Within the United Kingdom's Mental Health Act 2007.

Mughal, F; Menezes, SB

Abstract

Treatment of Cotard's syndrome with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been seen to be an effective treatment option when pharmacological options are not successful. Recent changes in the Mental Health Act 2007 used within the United Kingdom has resulted in clinicians unable to prescribe treatment for patients who have capacity but are not providing consent for treatment. We report a case of a patient in the UK with Cotard's phenomenon and severe depression, where the only effective treatment of ECT was restricted due to changes in mental health law. The role of maintenance ECT as well as the ethical dilemma faced is discussed.

Citation

Mughal, F., & Menezes, S. (2013). Severe Depression with Cotard's Phenomenon: Treatment of a Capacitated Patient Within the United Kingdom's Mental Health Act 2007. Mental Illness, e3 - ?. https://doi.org/10.4081/mi.2013.e3

• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2011
• Publication Date: Apr 23, 2013
• Journal: Mental Illness
• Print ISSN: 2036-7465
• Publisher: PAGEpress
• Pages: e3 - ?
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mi.2013.e3
• Keywords: Cotard’s syndrome, capacity, depression, electroconvulsive therapy, mental health act
• Publisher URL: http://www.pagepress.org/journals/index.php/mi/article/view/mi.2013.e3