Preventing relapse in patients with major depressive disorder after an effective acute course of electroconvulsive therapy

Minji SongDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Nathalie Hanna LaunderDepartment of Psychiatry and Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Vivek H PhutaneDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Goulburn Valley Health, Francine Moss, Anne-Marie KeoghDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, St Vincent, s Hospital Melbourne, Terence W H ChongDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, St Vincent, s Hospital Melbourne, and Royal Melbourne Hospital

Australasian Psychiatry

Published online on October 25, 2025

Abstract

Australasian Psychiatry, Volume 34, Issue 2, Page 147-161, April 2026.
ObjectiveMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent debilitating mental health disorder with a lifetime risk of 11–15% in Australia. The most effective treatment for severe depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), but it is associated ...