Catatonic Depression Treatment

Catatonia is a condition most often associated with schizophrenia, medical illness or depression. It is characterized by long periods of motionlessness, repetitive sounds or motions, and maintenance of strange postures or body positions for long periods of time. Catatonic depression is a rare form of major depressive disorder in which severe depression is accompanied by these catatonic symptoms. Catatonic depression is generally treated with one or a combination of the following: benzodiazepines, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), mood stabilizers and antipsychotics.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of catatonic depression and catatonia in general are considerably unique in presentation but still may be difficult to read. There are a multitude of symptoms, many of which are vaguely defined. Some symptoms of catatonic depression include stupor (motionlessness and mutism), negativism (resisting others' attempts at moving parts of the body), echolalia (repeating or "echoing" other people's words), ambitendency (both resisting and then cooperating with others' attempts at examination) and aversion (turning away from an examiner).

Benzodiazepines

• Benzodiazepines are a form of prescription medication typically prescribed as an antianxiety agent, muscle relaxant, sedative or anticonvulsant. Benzodiapines are usually the first option in treatment of catatonia. Lorazepam, a type of benzodiazepine, is commonly prescribed for relief of catatonic symptoms. However, some patients do not respond well to benzodiazepines or may experience troublesome side effects.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a fairly controversial treatment in the field of psychiatry. In this procedure, a current of low-voltage electricity is passed through the brain of an anesthetized patient. This treatment is sometimes used to treat catatonic depression, usually after benzodiazepines fail to offer enough relief.

Mood Stabilizers

• Mood stabilizers are sometimes used in the treatment of catatonic depression. Two mood stabilizers prescribed for this purpose are valproic acid and lithium. Mood stabilizers are rarely ever used as the sole plan of management for catatonic depression symptoms. In general, mood stabilizers are used to compliment another treatment plan.

Antipsychotics

• Psychotic symptoms can sometimes co-exist with periodic catatonia. In this case, antipsychotics such as risperidone are used. These medications can be effective in limiting the length or reducing the frequency of catatonic phases. However, like mood stabilizers, antipsychotics are rarely the sole treatment for a catatonic patient.