scholarly journals Case Report: Catatonia Associated With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gellan K. Ahmed ◽  
Khaled Elbeh ◽  
Ahmed A. Karim ◽  
Eman M. Khedr

We report here about a 12-year-old female patient who had two life-threatening accidents that led to post-traumatic stress disorder associated with catatonia. She had closed eyes, had urinary and fecal incontinence, and had been in an abnormal position for one and half month. Moreover, she had complications such as dehydration, malunion of the fractured arm, and deformities in hand and foot. After detailed psychiatric examination, neurological assessment, and laboratory investigation, the patient received successful treatment in the form of benzodiazepine injections, intravenous fluid, oral antidepressants, and six sessions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). We discuss the pathophysiology of catatonia, which remains elusive, and recommend evaluating catatonic children for any possible trauma during psychiatry assessment.

2014 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. 176-181
Author(s):  
D. A. Kokonya ◽  
W. M. Kuria ◽  
F. A. Ong’echa ◽  
J. M. Mburu ◽  
D. M. Ndetei

2020 ◽  
pp. 153465012098006
Author(s):  
Stephanie Cherestal ◽  
Kate L. Herts

Post-traumatic stress disorder is often a condition left untreated in patients also meeting criteria for psychotic disorders. While many clinicians who treat patients with these co-occurring conditions choose to avoid treatment targeting symptoms of PTSD for fear of de-stabilizing these individuals or exacerbating psychotic symptomatology, little is currently known about how patients respond to treatment for PTSD in the context of ongoing psychotic symptoms. Additionally, research is scarce regarding the clinical profile of individuals who develop psychotic symptoms secondary to a traumatic stressor, in the absence of any premorbid symptomatology. The purpose of this case report is to outline the case of an individual, “Mary” who developed psychotic symptoms secondary to a traumatic stressor in her middle age and to describe her response to treatment targeting her symptoms of PTSD. Mary presented with core symptoms of PTSD that emerged following a traumatic car crash. She developed psychotic symptoms (auditory and visual hallucinations) several weeks later. Mary underwent a treatment course of Prolonged Exposure targeting her symptoms of PTSD, with careful work done to monitor any changes in psychotic symptomatology while engaging in this treatment. Standardized measures such as the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5 (PCL-5) and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales were administered to assess Mary’s progress throughout treatment. This case report provides a comprehensive summary of Mary’s 16-week course of Prolonged Exposure therapy, which resulted in a significant reduction in PTSD symptomatology as demonstrated by a 72% decrease in scores on the PCL-5 from the initiation to the conclusion of treatment.


1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Lambert

Objective: The following case report and discussion is intended to increase awareness of the difficulties in diagnosing pheochromocytoma when a primary psychiatric diagnosis is first suspected. Method: The case of a middle-aged combat veteran who was admitted with agitation and flashbacks is presented. Episodes of hypertension were initially believed to be related to agitation or alcohol withdrawal. When the hypertensive episodes persisted, further evaluation revealed a pheochromocytoma. In three years' follow-up since removal of the tumor, the patient has shown considerable improvement in the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Conclusions: Pheochromocytoma should be considered in patients with psychiatric disorders if a pattern of hypertensive episodes persists or worsens. The case highlights the importance of medical evaluation in patients presenting with psychiatric complaints.


2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Iribarren ◽  
Paolo Prolo ◽  
Negoita Neagos ◽  
Francesco Chiappelli

The stress that results from traumatic events precipitates a spectrum of psycho-emotional and physiopathological outcomes. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that results from the experience or witnessing of traumatic or life-threatening events. PTSD has profound psychobiological correlates, which can impair the person's daily life and be life threatening. In light of current events (e.g. extended combat, terrorism, exposure to certain environmental toxins), a sharp rise in patients with PTSD diagnosis is expected in the next decade. PTSD is a serious public health concern, which compels the search for novel paradigms and theoretical models to deepen the understanding of the condition and to develop new and improved modes of treatment intervention. We review the current knowledge of PTSD and introduce the role of allostasis as a new perspective in fundamental PTSD research. We discuss the domain of evidence-based research in medicine, particularly in the context of complementary medical intervention for patients with PTSD. We present arguments in support of the notion that the future of clinical and translational research in PTSD lies in the systematic evaluation of the research evidence in treatment intervention in order to insure the most effective and efficacious treatment for the benefit of the patient.


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