Assessing and Treating Catatonia

Topics: Amantadine | Ativan Challenge Test | Benzodiazepines | Bush-Francis Scale | Catatonia | lorazepam taper | mood disorders | neuroleptic malignant syndrome | retarded vs excited catatonia | Schizophrenia

CHPR: Welcome, Dr. Heckers. You recently published a review of the management of catatonia (Heckers S and Walther S, JAMA Psychiatry 2021;78(5):560–561). What is catatonia and how do you diagnose it? Dr. Heckers: Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome. Some patients cannot move or respond normally. Patients often stare blankly, remain motionless for lon