BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that catatonia is an important source of impairment in adolescents and adults with autism. AIM: Review of the evaluation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of catatonia in autism. METHOD: Presentation and discussion of a case-vignette spanning early childhood to adulthood. RESULTS: Autistic and catatonic symptoms overlap, yet catatonia is diagnosable in about one of seven adolescents and young adults with autism. Case-reports suggest that benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy are effective treatments in the acute and maintenance phase for people with autism who develop catatonia. CONCLUSIONS: Catatonia should be assessed in people with autism when there is an obvious and marked deterioration in movement, vocalizations, pattern of activities, self-care, and practical skills. Benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy are favored options for acute and maintenance treatment in these cases. Further studies on the possible biological-genetic overlap between autism and catatonia would be helpful.
BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that catatonia is an important source of impairment in adolescents and adults with autism. AIM: Review of the evaluation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of catatonia in autism. METHOD: Presentation and discussion of a case-vignette spanning early childhood to adulthood. RESULTS:Autistic and catatonic symptoms overlap, yet catatonia is diagnosable in about one of seven adolescents and young adults with autism. Case-reports suggest that benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy are effective treatments in the acute and maintenance phase for people with autism who develop catatonia. CONCLUSIONS:Catatonia should be assessed in people with autism when there is an obvious and marked deterioration in movement, vocalizations, pattern of activities, self-care, and practical skills. Benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy are favored options for acute and maintenance treatment in these cases. Further studies on the possible biological-genetic overlap between autism and catatonia would be helpful.
Authors: J R Brasić; D Zagzag; S Kowalik; L Prichep; E R John; H G Liang; B Klutchko; R Cancro; B B Sheitman; M Buchsbaum; C Brathwaite Journal: Psychol Rep Date: 1999-02
Authors: Lee E Wachtel; Stephanie A Contrucci-Kuhn; Merrie Griffin; Ainsley Thompson; Dirk M Dhossche; Irving M Reti Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2009-02-05 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Petra Waris; Nina Lindberg; Kirsi Kettunen; Jari Lipsanen; Pekka Tani Journal: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health Date: 2014-05-23 Impact factor: 3.033