CAUSES OF FAILURE IN TREATMENT WITH ELECTRIC SHOCK

Abstract
THE INCENTIVE for this article came from a previous report by one of us (N. K. R.) on 200 private patients treated with electric shock and subcoma doses of insulin.1 The recovery rate of 81 per cent had been maintained from one to five years. Certain factors were stressed as the reason for this high incidence of recovery. Treatment did not stop with shock therapy, but, wherever possible, a followup program of psychotherapy, which included not only the care of the patient but a study of the interrelationships of the patient and his immediate family, his school, his work and his social outlets, was insisted on. In practically every case the family was interviewed and made to see its responsibility in the treatment of the patient's illness. In many instances the relatives had severe emotional conflicts, which were corrected. Sociologic factors, wherever possible, were changed and bettered. No attempt