Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.  2015 Aug;13(2):218-221. 10.9758/cpn.2015.13.2.218.

Recurrent Idiopathic Catatonia: Implications beyond the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition

• Caroff SN
• Hurford I
• Bleier HR
• Gorton GE
• Campbell E

• KMID: 2171057
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2015.13.2.218

Abstract

We describe a case of recurrent, life-threatening, catatonic stupor, without evidence of any associated medical, toxic or mental disorder. This case provides support for the inclusion of a separate category of "unspecified catatonia" in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) to be used to classify idiopathic cases, which appears to be consistent with Kahlbaum's concept of catatonia as a distinct disease state. But beyond the limited, cross-sectional, syndromal approach adopted in DSM-5, this case more importantly illustrates the prognostic and therapeutic significance of the longitudinal course of illness in differentiating cases of catatonia, which is better defined in the Wernicke-Kleist-Leonhard classification system. The importance of differentiating cases of catatonia is further supported by the efficacy of antipsychotics in treatment of this case, contrary to conventional guidelines.

Keyword

Catatonia; Periodic catatonia; Schizophrenia; Cycloid psychosis; Antipsychotic agents; Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

MeSH Terms

Antipsychotic Agents
Catatonia*
Classification
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders*
Mental Disorders
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Schizophrenia
Stupor
Antipsychotic Agents