Update on Catatonia-Presentation Slides

Presentation Slides

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This document is an update on catatonia, a neuropsychiatric syndrome, provided by the Clinical Support System for Serious Mental Illness (CSS-SMI), a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded initiative implemented by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Catatonia is characterized by a state of immobility, mutism, and rigidity induced by severe mental shock. It can occur in various medical and neurological conditions, as well as in psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and affective disorders. Common medical complications of untreated catatonia include aspiration pneumonia, renal failure, cardiac arrest, seizures, sepsis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema, rhabdomyolysis, and respiratory failure. The diagnosis of catatonia is based on clinical signs, and the severity is assessed using the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale. Treatment options for catatonia include lorazepam, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and other medications such as zolpidem and NMDA antagonists. However, there are no FDA-approved treatments for catatonia, and the use of antipsychotics should be cautious due to the risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Delirium with catatonic features is also discussed as a potential subtype. Overall, catatonia remains a distinct syndrome that can occur across various diagnoses, and treatment options are available but still require further research.

Keywords

catatonia

neuropsychiatric syndrome

immobility

severe mental shock

medical complications

treatment options

Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale

antipsychotics

neuroleptic malignant syndrome

research