Catatonia: Diagnosis and Treatment

[@tuliptulip2136]

Thank you so much for this very informative podcast.

[@angellov1275]

I became catatonic after developing a diverticulum that was choking me. I went to many doctors that did not see the diverticulum. I became stuck in fight or flight and my body was shutting down. I fainted several times. I was admitted to hospital for a week. Still have choking sensation. 20 years on Klonopin.

[@irineojason]

Did the doctors explain how this happened?

[@cattoes1609]

This is a very helpful discussion.

[@KitKat2233]

I am professionally diagnosed with DID and I’ve noticed I have some catatonic symptoms when I get dissociated. Usually it’s just slowed and/or delayed speech and movements but recently I had an episode where I was unable to move or talk at all for about 20 min. I just figured I had slowed and delayed speech from being dissociated but I’m worried it’s something more because of this last episode.

[@oknahh]

My autistic son age 13 has been stuck in a worsening catitonic condition for months. He used to be able to dress him, eat, talk,walk,use the bathroom to a non verbal, completely non functioning, stand in the bathroom doorway but peeing himself bc he couldn't cross the doorway into the bathroom, or pee himself standing in front of the toilet but unable to pull his bottoms down. He will sit in front of his favorite food but cant get his arm to lift to eat. He has to be reminded to chew and swallow He's lost 14 pounds so far. I have to dress and feed him like he's an infant. His sensory is hypertensive to the point I can't have a single sound without him becoming violent towards himself and me. He will pace for 16 hours straight :( I've called crisis lines and taken him to 2 different ER's and been told they can't do anything for an autistic child in his condion!! It could be a year b4 his Phcy doc can see him. I'm beyond frustrated

[@psychiatrypsychotherapy6939]

Send me a message at on my website and I will see if I can connect you with someone in your state

[@oknahh]

@@psychiatrypsychotherapy6939 can u send me a link? Im desperate 😪

[@psychiatrypsychotherapy6939]

@@oknahh www.psychiatrypodcast.com/contact

[@SofyMty03]

😢❤​@@oknahh

[@oknahh]

@@SofyMty03 looking at my comment reminds me of how far he's came sense then. He actually got much worse,the school demanded he return (for a child who prides himself on independence sending him to school in a comatose state would have been beyond degrading thus I refused to ascertain such nonsense),school sent DFS to my home(they were called for teen truancy unaware it was due to medical) school made accusatory calls to family asking if he had been harmed (having a large family who adores him the calls didn't yield the results they were fishing for), it was hell and its deff broken my trust in medical care and his school...Luckily once he seen an actual phyciatrist things improved, seeing his phyc doc shaking his head in disbelief as he skimmed threw the medical info he recieved(from the prior er visits and doctors seen) gave me hope. It's been 2 yrs sense then,he's now 15 and back to dressing himself,using the bathroom independently,talking,his most recent achievement he loves to tell ppl about is cooking a burrito in the microwave :)!! If your going threw this please kno it does get better. I found comfort in a few FB groups of others going threw the same situation so if u need help theyll do the same for u ♥

[@rainbowgirl765]

Hi.excellent podcast. Im in UK. My friend had catatonia after a psychotic episode. She doesnt respond to the benzo challenge or lorazepam. She had 12 lots of ect and recovered a certain amount but became aggressive then within a couple of weeks went into a worse catatonic state.lost 5st in weight.lost swallow refex so was sent from mh hospital to main hospital.was treated for NMS and urosepsis but after recovering from these shes still severely catatonic.no swallow reflex still and is tube fed. Neurologists have ruled out any pysical cause even rare illnesses and she now back in mh intnsive care unit but nobody knows how to treat her. Its been months now. Just how much ect can a person have in a year/lifetime, If this is the only treatment left for treatment resistant catatonia? Is this brain damaging her? Drs think schizophrenia is underlying altho previously diagnosed with psychotic bipolar. Is there a link to catatonia and autism as autism was queried before her last psychotic episode that led to this. Family feel helpless bec drs are at a loss how to treat her or longterm prognosis. Please give any thoughts on this or if you know of any UK psychiatrists who specialise in a case of catatonia like this i would be so greatful. Im a friend of the patient/family.

[@Daniel-hw5bh]

Where can I find a good doctor in Florida, the South Miami area. Doctors here act like they do not know what they are doing. My mother has been in a catatonic state for 8 months now. She was getting better with lorazaprm, aripiprazole and a supplement of selenium. The doctor gave her effexor along with lorazaprm and aripiprazole and she rolled back. This time, she is worse. she is nonverbal, drulinng and the doctor doesn't know what to do. I have no family help and need help.

[@prince2132]

What is the treatment option for mild catatonia like this girl in the video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn6pYnmZjKmgjc0 I mean stiff robot like movements, not changing facial expressions etc. Is benzo or ECT suitable for mild ones like this? (no positive symptoms of any kind, only this mild catatonia)

[@utube4andydent]

The d