[A reduced variant of convulsive therapy with ammonium chloride in patients with neurotic depression]. / Redutsirovannyi variant sudorozhnoi terapii khloristym ammoniem bol'nykh nevroticheskoi depressiei.

Results of ammonium convulsive therapy (ACT) in 203 patients with neurotic depressive states of various nosological origin are presented. In the total population subjected to 4-20 sessions of ACT, a full recovery or a good remission were attained in 89% of patients. The remission starts after 2 to 4 sessions with the improvement of basic mood and reducing of anxiety. Later continuous activation of the behavior may be seen. The best results were attained in patients with depressive, hypochondriac and neurasthenic neuroses, especially when astheno-, anxious-depressive or astheno-hypochondriac syndromes predominated. ACT is well tolerated by patients with no marked side effects. ACT can be recommended as a safe and effective treatment method in patients with moderate depression.