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Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
Published on: April 11, 2019
Chronic catatonia treated with electroconvulsive therapy: a case report.
Varuni A de Silva1, Wickramaarachchige D Lakmini, Heshan N Gunawardena
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka. varunidesilva2@yahoo.co.uk.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|August 27, 2013
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy effectively treats chronic catatonia, a condition often misclassified. While effective, symptoms may recur after treatment cessation, necessitating ongoing management.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Catatonia is currently classified as a subtype of schizophrenia in major diagnostic systems.
- However, catatonia is more frequently linked to mood disorders and organic conditions, suggesting it may be an independent syndrome.
- Current treatments often involve benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), rather than antipsychotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating chronic catatonia.
- To highlight the potential for relapse after treatment discontinuation.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a 29-year-old woman with chronic catatonia was presented.
- The patient received bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), with symptom resolution observed.
- The patient's response to aripiprazole maintenance therapy was also noted.
Main Results:
- The patient's catatonia symptoms resolved after 17 sessions of bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
- Symptoms recurred later, requiring an additional four ECT sessions for resolution.
- The patient remained stable on aripiprazole 60mg daily.
Conclusions:
- Bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for chronic catatonia.
- Catatonia should be considered an independent syndrome.
- Relapse is possible after treatment cessation, indicating the need for continued monitoring and management.
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