Catatonic stupor: a diagnostically non-specific but distinct syndrome.
Catatonic stupor is a severe and potentially life-threatening syndrome Unfortunately, recognition is often delayed hindering the prompt institution of effective therapy. Diagnostic confusion may also preclude appropriate treatment. Despite extensive evidence than catatonia is a diagnostically non-specific cross-sectional clinical syndrome it is often assumed to indicate schizophrenia and is treated accordingly with neuroleptics whereas it appears that electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) is the treatment of choice. A case illustrating these issues is presented.
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications; D002389:Catatonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans