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Catatonia: the rise and fall of an intriguing psychopathological dimension

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

F. M. M. A. van der Heijden ,
S. Tuinier ,
L. Pepplinkhuizen  and
W. M. A. Verhoeven
F. M. M. A. van der Heijden*
Affiliation:
Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands
S. Tuinier
Affiliation:
Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands
L. Pepplinkhuizen
Affiliation:
Erasmus University, Faculty of Medicine and Mental Sciences, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
W. M. A. Verhoeven
Affiliation:
Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands Erasmus University, Faculty of Medicine and Mental Sciences, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
*
Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, PO Box 5, 5800 AA, Venray, the Netherlands. Tel: 0031 478 527339; Fax: 0031 478 527110.
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Abstract

Background:

For at least 125 years the discussion about the clinical relevance of catatonic symptoms in psychiatry continues. It started from the original description by Kahlbaum and was revived by modern factor analytical studies, that identified the catatonic dimension in about 10% of newly admitted patients.

Objective:

Over a period of 2 years, four patients with an acute episodic psychosis and prominent catatonic symptoms were examined.

Methods:

A clinical description is given of the psychopathology and classification is performed according to the various diagnostic instruments.

Results:

All patients showed a circular fluctuation of their psychoses, with motor symptoms ranging from the excited to the inhibited pole within one episode. Their clinical pictures also comprised mood swings and anxieties as well as hallucinatory and delusional experiences, whereas the course of disease was characterized by complete recovery without residual symptoms.

Conclusions:

The significance of catatonic symptoms is not recognized in the current taxonomies despite the fact that this has major pharmacological treatment implications.

Keywords

catatoniacycloid psychosismood stabilizerspsychosis
Type
Original Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , June 2002 , pp. 111 - 116
Copyright
Copyright © Acta Neuropsychiatrica 2002

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