Dr. Georg Northoff talks about catatonia

[@MelodiousMayhem21]

I have been experiencing catatonic states for the past 8 years. The doctors I see don't believe me that they are really happening since it is so rare. The past two weeks I have been in a near catatonic state nearly every day to multiple times a day, only coming out with a xanax. I have PTSD. I don't know why it has become so extreme lately, and I don't know how to get a Dr to take me seriously. I wish there was more research done and it was more widely known. I wish I lived in Germany where this important research is being done. I think there may be more cases than drs are even aware of, but they dismiss patients.

[@prince2132]

Check your thyroid level. Hypothyroidism can give catatonic like symptoms. TSH should ideally remain under 1.0. Also thyroid hormone pill levothyroxine helps to relieve catatonia. I myself have mild catatonia and also have hypothyroidism that's why mentioned.

[@MelodiousMayhem21]

@@prince2132 I have hypothyroidism too! I have felt it was off lately, but the drs check it and tell me "it's within normal range" and so they won't do anything about it. I take levothyroxine every morning. That's interesting that that could be a trigger too!

[@prince2132]

@@MelodiousMayhem21 Most doctors put off if TSH is under normal range which is very wide .4 to 5. So even if your TSH is 4.9 they say it's normal so never trust these kind of doctors. TSH optimal range is between .3 to 2.5. Target TSH range for those who take levothyroxine pill is close to 1.0 to feel better. Also another thing I found is levothyroxine actually relieves some catatonia symptoms especially lack of sleep, stare, apathetic state. This state can affect night sleep so taking levothyroxine just before sleep helps to relieve these catatonic symptoms and thus help to get good sleep at night although levothyroxine is supposed to be taken at morning for best absorption. This is not a big deal as levothyroxine dose can easily be adjusted.

[@Jonathan-kk8cq]

They won't understand till it kills us

[@prince2132]

Catatonia is body's natural defence mechanism in response to intense emotions especially fear. If we can't face fear best option is to ignore. Mind also does this for our well being and that response is called catatonia. A suitable approach to reduce this is by befriending with the fear. Face the fear so body no longer need to act like that. Actually the treatment options like benzo and other drugs just do the same. Makes the individual less fearful. This is for PTSD and other emotional related catatonia.

[@alexgrandizer2185]

Great video thanks .

[@mrdv2714]

I went catatonic along with delerium and allot more complex states my anxiety was flying worse it’s ever been fear/negative/ but was very hyper everything was moving so fast in the ICU etc then was in a phycitric ward was scary as hell now have ptsd

[@monte68x]

I thought there was a risk of worsening catatonia with neuroleptics. I thought it was largely treated with benzos or ECT.

[@KKbionic]

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is a rare side effect of neuroleptics that is difficult to distinguish from catatonia (also a syndrome). But NMS is an idiopathic reaction that is opposite of the intended effect. I'm not a doctor.

[@SawyerColvin]

I think the point here is that catatonia is that it is almost always secondary to something else. Treating it with benzos can resolve symptoms but there is still an underlying disorder that caused it. Treating catatonia secondary to psychosis with antipsychotics would in theory decrease the incidence/recurrence of catatonia

[@monte68x]

@@SawyerColvin Neuroleptics can worsen catatonia and increase the risk of NMS. They will usually treat the catatonia first with anticonvulsant sedatives or ECT and then when the catatonia resolves, the psychosis can be treated. Catatonia associated with primary psychotic disorders is trickier to treat than when it's due to a mood disorder.

[@kittywaymo]

This is interesting. Do you think the mussulman of Jewish concentration camps were in catatonic state? Or was it more the severe malnutrition & starvation state. Later these men went on to have so called normal productive lives what do you think?Thank you

[@mohamudege3664]

Interesting question