Catatonia in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition

Catatonia in DSM-5

“…Additionally, the link between catatonia and a causal general medical condition may not be clear in the initial stages of clinical assessment/treatment and/or the general medical condition putatively causing catatonia may not be initially evident. There is a broad consensus among catatonia experts (Francis et al, 2011) that there needs to be an ability to diagnose catatonia in these circumstances because of its clinical importance (Fink, 2012;Shorter, 2012). Catatonia in such settings does respond to treatment with benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy.…”

“…It will generally be a holding place until a full evaluation is completed and the basic disorder is identified. This change was strongly supported by a broad consensus of catatonia experts (Francis et al, 2011).…”

“…One of the changes recommended by several catatonia scholars (Taylor and Fink, 2003;Fink et al, 2010;Francis et al, 2011) was the establishment of catatonia as an independent diagnostic class, akin to delirium. Arguments advanced in support of this recommendation included a need to heighten clinical awareness of this treatable syndrome and partly delink it from schizophrenia.…”

Malignant catatonia responsive to low doses of lorazepam: case report

“…3 In the top ten prospective studies around the world, catatonic syndrome was identified, on average, in 9.8% of admissions of adult psychiatric patients. 6 The prevalence in psychiatric populations ranges from 6% to 38%, with an average incidence of 15% among the patients hospitalized per year. 7 There are three forms of catatonia: retarded, excited and malignant.…”

Hidden in plain sight: catatonia in pediatrics

“…Catatonia may also be added as a specifier to at least ten primary diagnoses, denoted as xxx,x5. This multi-faceted resolution seeks to satisfy many opinions and disregards the science and experience of numerous catatonia scholars in the past two decades (10).…”