Electroconvulsive therapy in a man with comorbid severe obesity, binge eating disorder, and bipolar disorder

J ECT. 2013 Jun;29(2):142-4. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0b013e31827a7f85.

Abstract

A 41-year-old man with comorbid binge-eating disorder, severe obesity, and bipolar disorder since the age of 20 years, resistant to drug and psychotherapy combinations, worsened progressively. Relentless weight gain forced him to immobility and dependence on others. He was hospitalized for a mixed-mood episode with anxiety, mystical delusions, and auditory hallucinations. To overcome treatment resistance, we suggested electroconvulsive therapy. After 1 electroconvulsive therapy cycle, psychological symptoms promptly improved. He received clozapine and lithium. After 2 years, he reached normal weight and fair psychopathological compensation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Anxiety / therapy
  • Binge-Eating Disorder / complications*
  • Binge-Eating Disorder / drug therapy
  • Binge-Eating Disorder / therapy*
  • Bipolar Disorder / complications*
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Bipolar Disorder / therapy*
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use
  • Delusions / etiology
  • Delusions / therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Resistance
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy*
  • Hallucinations / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity, Morbid / complications*
  • Obesity, Morbid / drug therapy
  • Obesity, Morbid / therapy*

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Clozapine