A woman continues to suffer from severe depression and suicidality after a year of cognitive-behavioral therapy and multiple medication trials. The next treatment recommendation is likely to be

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a reasonably effective treatment for severe depression and suicidality when other treatments, including psychotherapy and medication, have failed. It entails the administration of electric shocks to specific areas of the brain, inducing a seizure that appears to promote changes in brain chemistry that can alleviate depression symptoms. ECT is most usually used for individuals with intense symptoms or for those who cannot withstand antidepressant medications' side effects. Psychosurgery is typically reserved as a last alternative, with a focus on deep brain stimulation in place of ablative techniques that destroy brain tissue. Monoamine therapy, also known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, was once a widely-used treatment for depression, but it's no longer the first line of therapy due to potentially life-threatening interactions with dietary choices and prescription medications. Finally, systematic desensitization is usually used to treat phobias or anxiety disorders instead of depression.

A Woman Continues to Suffer from Severe Depression and Suicidality