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Emergence of catatonia during ECT
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA.
The Journal of ECT
|August 31, 2001
Summary
Unexpected catatonia emerged in patients during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Recent benzodiazepine cessation appears to be a risk factor, with symptoms resolving upon resuming the medication.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a recognized treatment for catatonia.
- Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by motor abnormalities.
Observation:
- Four inpatients with affective disorders developed catatonia during ECT treatment.
- All patients had recently ceased benzodiazepine use prior to ECT initiation.
- Catatonic episodes emerged at different points during the ECT course.
Findings:
- The onset of catatonia during ECT is an unusual occurrence.
- Recent benzodiazepine withdrawal was identified as a potential risk factor.
- Resuming benzodiazepines promptly resolved catatonic symptoms.
Implications:
- This suggests a link between benzodiazepine cessation and catatonia during ECT.
- Clinicians should consider benzodiazepine history in patients developing catatonia during ECT.
- Management may involve resuming benzodiazepines to allow continuation of ECT.