06.05.2025 16:34
A 26-year-old woman who was brought to the hospital unconscious with a diagnosis of depression was awakened with ECT treatment. The doctor stated, "The patient was almost frozen. This case demonstrates that depression is not just a state of sadness; it can sometimes have such a profound effect that it completely silences a person and takes them away from life."
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A 26-year-old female patient, whose name has not been disclosed, was brought to Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMÜ) Faculty of Medicine Hospital by her relatives with a diagnosis of depression. The doctors mobilized for the patient, who was unconscious and whose condition was deteriorating.
SHE SLEPT FOR 56 DAYS
The patient, who had been asleep for 56 days, was awakened with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Dr. Özgür Kılıç, a faculty member of the Department of Internal Medicine at OMÜ Faculty of Medicine, stated, "When she was referred to us, we started monitoring her in the intensive care unit. The patient was not opening her eyes, did not respond to painful stimuli, and was lying there as if completely stiff."
"SHE WAS ALMOST FROZEN"
Kılıç said, "All neurological, metabolic, infectious, toxic, and endocrine tests were normal. We ruled out countless possibilities, but we still could not find a reason. There was no sign of an organic disorder. Nevertheless, the patient was almost frozen. At this point, we thought the condition might be of psychiatric origin. We evaluated the situation in a council that included psychiatry, neurology, and intensive care specialists. We reviewed all the findings together and decided that this could be catatonia," he explained.
"CASES THIS SEVERE AND WITH DELAYED TREATMENT ARE QUITE RARE"
Describing the process of awakening the patient, Dr. Kılıç stated, "She was brought in with her consciousness closed. Until that moment, she had no known other illness. However, this time the situation was much more severe. Countless tests had been performed, but the reason for her not waking up, not opening her eyes, and not speaking could not be understood. After the patient did not respond to any intervention, we gathered with the council and diagnosed her with catatonia. Catatonia is a condition that can be seen in some severe psychiatric illnesses, where the person does not speak, does not move, and completely disconnects from their surroundings. This situation can particularly arise in severe depression. From the outside, it may appear as if the person is unconscious, but inside, a kind of freezing state occurs. There have been reports of catatonia cases lasting this long in the literature. However, cases this severe and with delayed treatment are quite rare. We intervened in this situation in a timely manner," he expressed.
"IT WAS NOT ONLY A MEDICAL BUT ALSO A HUMAN STORY OF HOPE"
Kılıç, who stated that they started ECT treatment, said, "On the morning of the 56th day, after the 5th session, the patient opened her eyes. She looked at us and ate. It is really hard to describe that moment. This case has shown that depression is not just a state of sadness; it can sometimes have such a deep impact that it completely silences a person and takes them away from life. This was not only a medical but also a human story of hope. It was a victory of science, teamwork, and patience," he said.
WHAT IS ECT TREATMENT?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a treatment method used in psychiatry. It is applied especially in cases of treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, severe mania, and psychotic disorders. ECT, which is performed under general anesthesia, creates a controlled seizure by delivering a brief electrical current to the brain. This seizure helps alleviate mental symptoms by changing the chemical balances in the brain. It is usually applied in several sessions. This method, which was previously known as "electroshock therapy," is now performed in a controlled manner with advanced devices.
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