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#8155 Taking an evidence-based approach to 10 common myths about catatonia: an educational review

jnnp · 2025-09-15 · canonical JSON source

16 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

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Catatonia is a severe neuropsychiatric condition with significant morbidity and potential mortality. Early recognition and evidence-based management is essential in reducing the morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in research, a disconnect persists between the research evidence and clinical practice. This educational review explores ten prevalent myths about catatonia’s presentation, causes, and treatment. We explored the following myths relating to catatonia: catatonia is harmless, catatonia implies schizophrenia, catatonia is exclusively a psychiatric condition, catatonia is a zebra, catatonia is always stuporous, patients with catatonia are confused and unaware of their surroundings, catatonia cannot be diagnosed in delirium, only licensed doses of lorazepam should be used for catatonia, catatonia occurs exclusively in adults and catatonia is an unreliable construct. The authors emphasise key findings, including its occurrence among both children and adults, patients’ preserved awareness during episodes, the utility of validated screening tools and benzodiazepines. By addressing these myths and misconception, the review seeks to align clinical practice with research and promote better outcomes for those affected by catatonia.