Catatonia : A Practical Guide to a Clinical and Scientific Conundrum

This complete guide for clinicians, researchers and students is dedicated to understanding and treating catatonia. Integrating real-world patient cases, the latest research and practical guidance it equips readers with tools to recognize catatonia, enhance patient care and advance scientific knowledge in this complex neuropsychiatric condition.

Catatonia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by motor, affective and cognitive-behavioral symptoms, presenting significant challenges for both psychiatrists and neurologists. It occurs in 5–18% of patients in inpatient psychiatric units and in 3.3% of those in neurology or neuropsychiatric tertiary care inpatient settings. Despite its relatively high prevalence, catatonia is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated, which can lead to substantial disadvantages for patients and may be associated with potentially life-threatening conditions. This comprehensive guide is designed to assist clinicians, researchers, and students in understanding and treating catatonia. It navigates through the history of the condition, exploring its phenomenology, clinical manifestations and pathophysiology, before delving into effective treatment strategies. By providing a clear and thorough overview, this guide simplifies the recognition of catatonia and promotes prompt and accurate treatment, encouraging future research endeavours in catatonia.