Adolescent Onset Catatonia: Symptomatology and Treatment Response

Abstract

Context: Catatonia leads to significant impairment including emotional distress, difficulty in communication and other debilitating symptoms. Literature regarding catatonia in children and adolescents is sparse.

Aim: To find out various symptomatology and treatment response of catatonia in adolescents.

Settings and Design: It was a hospital based descriptive study.

Materials and Methods: Five adolescent patients admitted in Mental Health Institute, S.C.B. Medical College, with verbal and motor unresponsiveness with the diagnosis of catatonia, were included in this study. They were evaluated for general medical conditions by investigating blood parameters, CT scan, electroencephalography and the severity of symptoms was graded using Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale. All the patients were given slow intravenous lorazepam in tapering doses and electroconvulsive therapy in nonresponsive cases with lorazepam.

Results: Within one month of admission, all the patients were improved and became independent and activities of daily living were restored subsequently.

Conclusion: It is important to diagnose and treat catatonia as efficiently as possible to limit functional and emotional distress to the individual.

Keywords: catatonia, adolescent, treatment, symptoms, investigation