Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in treating auditory verbal hallucinations in a deaf patient with schizophrenia: A case report.

BACKGROUND

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are believed to be characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia. The prevalence of AVHs in deaf patients with schizophrenia is comparable to that in patients with schizophrenia who have normal hearing ability. AVHs in deaf patients with schizophrenia require treatment.

CASE SUMMARY: A 22-year-old deaf woman with schizophrenia had experienced AVHs for 3 months. Her psychotic symptoms were not alleviated by antipsychotic medication alone. Modified electroconvulsive therapy in combination with antipsychotic drugs effectively alleviated her AVHs and disorganized behavior. During outpatient follow-up for 6 months, her condition have remained stable, and she has been able to take care of herself.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with modified electroconvulsive therapy was found to be safe and might be indicated for deaf patients whose symptoms are not well managed with antipsychotic medication alone. Deaf people might be unable to communicate through spoken language; therefore, to make proper diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment for these patients, psychiatrists must have patience and seek to understand patients' mental state.