# Are we using electroconvulsive therapy too late? A narrative review and proposal for earlier integration in depression and psychosis - URL: https://alisanburak.com/en/wcp-2026-posterler/ev0894 - Language: en - Last updated: not specified - Page title: Are we using electroconvulsive therapy too late? A narrative review and proposal for earlier integration in depression and psychosis | WCP 2026 Summary > Delays in the use of electroconvulsive therapy stem more from stigma, inadequate training, and misconceptions than from clinical considerations, and current ev… This page was translated automatically from Turkish. [Read the original](https://alisanburak.com/wcp-2026-posterler/ev0894) This page is an AI-assisted Turkish summary of the study presented at the 26th World Congress of Psychiatry. The study belongs to the presenting authors; please refer to the original source when citing it. EV0894 E-PosterNeuromodulationReview # Are we using electroconvulsive therapy too late? A narrative review and proposal for earlier integration in depression and psychosis ARE WE USING ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY TOO LATE? A NARRATIVE REVIEW AND PROPOSAL FOR EARLIER INTEGRATION IN DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS Presenter: Francisco Miguel Homar Herrero Country: Spain Institution: Hospital Universitari Son Espases Delays in the use of electroconvulsive therapy stem more from stigma, inadequate training, and misconceptions than from clinical considerations, and current evidence supports its earlier use in selected patients. The aim is to review the current evidence on the early use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depression and psychosis, identify barriers to its implementation, and propose criteria for its earlier integration into current treatment algorithms. A narrative review of the literature published between 2015 and 2025 was conducted using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and major clinical guidelines; clinical reviews, meta-analyses, real-world studies, and evidence on continuation and maintenance ECT were included. The findings indicate that ECT offers high efficacy and rapid improvement in severe depression, particularly in psychotic depression, catatonia, and treatment-resistant episodes; modern techniques reduce cognitive adverse effects while maintaining efficacy. Current evidence suggests that psychotic symptoms, catatonia, suicidal ideation, compromised nutritional status, and severe psychomotor retardation warrant earlier consideration of ECT. Continuation and maintenance ECT have been reported to be associated with lower rehospitalization rates and better long-term outcomes. In conclusion, ECT is a safe, rapid, and highly effective treatment for severe depressive and psychotic disorders; delays in its use appear to be associated more with cultural barriers, stigma, inadequate training, and persistent misconceptions than with clinical considerations. The authors suggest that early use in selected patients with psychotic features, catatonia, suicide risk, severe functional impairment, or nutritional problems may shorten illness duration, enhance functional recovery, and improve inpatient care. [View the original poster](https://cslide.ctimeetingtech.com/wcp26/attendee/eposter/file/1663) How to cite this study APA 7: Herrero, F. M. H., et al. (2026, September 23-26). Are we using electroconvulsive therapy too late? a narrative review and proposal for earlier integration in depression and psychosis [E-poster]. 26th WPA World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP 2026), Stockholm, Sweden. https://cslide.ctimeetingtech.com/wcp26/attendee/eposter/file/1663 Vancouver: Herrero FMH, et al. Are we using electroconvulsive therapy too late? a narrative review and proposal for earlier integration in depression and psychosis [e-poster]. 26th WPA World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP 2026); 2026 Sep 23-26; Stockholm, Sweden. Available from: https://cslide.ctimeetingtech.com/wcp26/attendee/eposter/file/1663 Author names and title formatting were generated automatically from the congress system; please check them against the original poster before use. ## On the same topic - [Kumar oynama bozukluğunda teta patlama uyarımının klinik etkinliği ve plasebo etkileri: başlangıçtaki anksiyete ve depresyonun rolü](https://alisanburak.com/en/wcp-2026-posterler/ev0055) - [Transkraniyal darbe uyarımı (TPS) Alzheimer hastalığı olan hastalarda uygun bir ek tedavi mi?](https://alisanburak.com/en/wcp-2026-posterler/ev0407) - [Demansta tedaviye dirençli ajitasyonda elektrokonvulsif tedavi: anlatısal derleme](https://alisanburak.com/en/wcp-2026-posterler/ev0414) - [Elektrokonvulsif tedavi sonrası bilişsel değişimin nöroimmün ve psikolojik mekanizmaları: boylamsal MITO-ECT çalışmasının ön sonuçları](https://alisanburak.com/en/wcp-2026-posterler/ev0825) - [Yetişkin tedaviye dirençli depresyon hastalarında DEHB belirtilerini iyileştiren güçlendirilmiş tDCS'nin klinik ve görüntüleme mekanizmaları](https://alisanburak.com/en/wcp-2026-posterler/ev0851) [All WCP 2026 summaries](https://alisanburak.com/en/wcp-2026-posterler) --- Kaynak / Source: https://alisanburak.com/en/wcp-2026-posterler/ev0894 İletişim / Contact: Bağdat Caddesi, Veli Güneysu Apt. No:453 K:4 D:9, Suadiye / Kadıköy, İstanbul · +90 532 642 95 25 · info@alisanburak.com · https://alisanburak.com/bagdat-caddesi-psikoterapi-iletisim