Catatoniais a psychomotor syndrome characterized by unusual behavioral and movement disturbances.
Catatonic behavior can manifest with slow or diminished movement, excess or agitated movement, or dangerous physiological changes.
Catatonia is not itself a disorder.
Gravity Images / Getty Images
This article will discuss the types and symptoms of catatonia, as well as explore some of its causes.
It will then cover how catatonia can be diagnosed and effectively treated.
They may also copy the words or movement patterns of whoever they are interacting with.
People with catatonia may seem to be unaware of their surroundings.
People with mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression are more likely to experience catatonia.
Scientists suggest that irregularities in thegamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)and glutamate neurotransmitter systems may contribute to catatonia.
Other reports have found increased activity in premotor areas, specifically in the akinetic bang out of catatonia.
Ultimately, more research is needed to make conclusions about brain activity changes and other causes of catatonia.
This is the first study to associate catatonia with the coronavirus.
If you have signs of catatonia, your healthcare provider will complete a thorough neuropsychiatric evaluation.
This may include catatonia screening tools such as the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and the Northoff Catatonia Rating Scale.
No laboratory test can diagnose catatonia.
Many psychiatric conditions present with clinical signs that overlap with catatonia.
Your healthcare provider may consider other potential conditions when diagnosing catatonia.
Not only is this condition incredibly life-limiting, but it can lead to life-threatening complications.
Clinical evidence supports two main treatment pathways for catatonia: benzodiazepine medications andelectroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Medication
Catatonia is typically first treated with benzodiazepines.
Between 66% and 100% of people see a remission of catatonia after benzodiazepine treatment.
They usually feel better within three to seven days.
Patients with longer-term catatonia symptoms may not respond as well to medication treatment.
Sometimes, other medications are used for catatonia symptoms as well.
These include memantine and amantadine.
In rare cases, atypical antipsychotic medications like Abilify (aripiprazole) can be combined with benzodiazepines.
However, these medications can worsen catatonia symptoms so your healthcare provider is unlikely to use this option.
ECT treatment requires general anesthesia.
In studies, the success rate of ECT for the remission of catatonia ranges from 59%100%.
People typically start feeling better after at least six sessions.
Initially, the treatment is typically administered daily.
ECT can cause cognitive side effects.
Your healthcare provider will discuss the pros and cons of ECT and your unique situation before recommending the treatment.
Fortunately, treatment for catatonia is available.
Medications called benzodiazepines (including lorazepam) are typically used first.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can also help.
Seeing a healthcare provider early can reduce the risk of complications.
2007;4(3):46-52.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed.
Washington D.C.: 2013.
Caan MP, Lim CT, Howard M.A case of catatonia in a man with COVID-19.Psychosomatics.
2020;61(5):556-560. doi:10.1016/j.psym.2020.05.021
Walther S, Strik W.Catatonia.CNS Spectrums.
2019;6(7):610-619.
