Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of patient vignettes
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chronology of catatonia concepts
- 1 Catatonia: A history
- 2 Signs of catatonia are identifiable
- 3 The many faces of catatonia
- 4 The differential diagnosis of catatonia
- 5 Catatonia is measurable and common
- 6 Past treatments for catatonia
- 7 Management of catatonia today
- 8 The neurology of catatonia
- 9 Back to the future
- Appendices
- References
- Index
5 - Catatonia is measurable and common
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 July 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of patient vignettes
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chronology of catatonia concepts
- 1 Catatonia: A history
- 2 Signs of catatonia are identifiable
- 3 The many faces of catatonia
- 4 The differential diagnosis of catatonia
- 5 Catatonia is measurable and common
- 6 Past treatments for catatonia
- 7 Management of catatonia today
- 8 The neurology of catatonia
- 9 Back to the future
- Appendices
- References
- Index
Summary
Kahlbaum correctly states that once one recognizes the many characteristic and conspicuous signs of catatonia, it is not possible to confuse them with other illnesses. Secondly, I willingly add, that not only the individual characteristic signs which Kahlbaum so masterfully identified, but the total syndrome that the patients present, is identifiable.
Neisser, 1887Of the motor signs described by Kahlbaum, how many are useful in making the diagnosis of the catatonia syndrome? How often is the syndrome identified? In studies of incidence, researchers used the more prominent items of mutism, posturing, negativism, catalepsy, and stereotypy as criteria for catatonia. More recently, rating scales with more extensive lists of signs have been developed. In the search for a structure among the signs of catatonia, factor analytic studies have been done. Despite this experience with catatonia over the past few decades, its role in the DSM and ICD psychiatric classification systems remains restricted and problematic. In this chapter, we describe this experience and suggest modifications in classification systems.
DSM classification of catatonia
After Kahlbaum's 1874 description, many reports confirmed the presence of catatonia in patients with psychotic and mood disorders (see Chapter 1). In a decision that strongly influenced posterity, Kraepelin incorporated catatonia as a feature of dementia praecox. He described the onset as subacute, often beginning with a depressed mood.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- CatatoniaA Clinician's Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment, pp. 114 - 132Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2003
- 1
- Cited by