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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 2, 2003, at 9:19:51
Has anyone ever experienced this? Evidently, it wasn't uncommon years ago (the book I'm reading is from the '50s) to give psychotic patients a dose of insulin large enough to make them unconscious, wait a while, then administer glucose to revive them. Upon awakening, the patients were said to be free of psychotic symptoms for an hour or so, during which time talk therapy ensued. This would be done many times a day.
The book didn't explain the mechanisms of action, though starving the brain isn't that complex. It obviously has something to do with the slowing of brain processes, probably those which take the longest to resume regular glucose uptake. It's such an unusual method, I'm surprised I haven't heard of it before. I can only assume this fell out of use long ago.
Posted by DeeJay on December 2, 2003, at 9:34:34
In reply to Insulin shock treatment for schizophrenics, posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 2, 2003, at 9:19:51
Hi Eddie--
I'm no doc, but I work for a damn good one, and I havn't heard of that being used in a long time. I know there are a boatload of antipsychotics to calm dementia and delirium, both taken orally and injected, but not insulin. Just my thought for you...;)
Deej
Posted by Bananafish on December 2, 2003, at 9:50:12
In reply to Insulin shock treatment for schizophrenics, posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 2, 2003, at 9:19:51
Insulin Coma therapy fell out of favor for several reasons. First of all, it is dangerous. Arrhythmias can occur and if a patient is allowed to fall too deeply into coma for too long, it may leave them in a permanent vegitative state. Second, it is very expensive. It requires specially trained doctors and nurses, and must be done in a hospital. Lastly, like you said, it offers a few hours or days of lucidity and then the patient becomes psychotic again. Now we have effective medications that can treat psychosis for the long term.
Posted by stjames on December 2, 2003, at 11:34:46
In reply to Insulin shock treatment for schizophrenics, posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 2, 2003, at 9:19:51
It was stopped as it was considered barbaric.
Much like the lobotomy.Read about Francis Farmer.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 2, 2003, at 16:57:13
In reply to Re: Insulin shock treatment for schizophrenics, posted by stjames on December 2, 2003, at 11:34:46
> It was stopped as it was considered barbaric.
> Much like the lobotomy.
-------Which makes sense. It's funny to read the "state-of-the-art" techniques employed 40-50 years ago. Even more unsettling was the technique of removing almost all of the cerebrospinal fluid through a spinal tap in order to get better cranial X-rays.
Posted by noa on December 4, 2003, at 19:02:49
In reply to Re: Insulin shock treatment for schizophrenics, posted by Eddie Sylvano on December 2, 2003, at 16:57:13
They showed it in "A Beautiful Mind".
This is the end of the thread.
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