Expert Consultations: Real-World Answers

Treatment Strategies for Catatonia – Interview

Published on June 1, 2020 Expired on April 1, 2025

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Mohan Gautam

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Interview Highlights

Benzodiazepines are the treatment of choice for catatonia, ideally intravenous lorazepam.
NMDA receptor antagonists, like amantadine or memantine, are alternative treatment strategies for catatonia, most commonly used as adjunctive strategies.

Text Version

This edition of Psychopharmacology Institute’s Expert Interviews features Scott Beach, M.D. Dr. Beach is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Program Director of the MGH/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Training Program. In this interview, he will be discussing the clinical features of catatonia, the differential diagnosis, and the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, as well as some innovative treatment alternatives.

Mohan Gautam, D.O.: Welcome to the Psychopharmacology Institute audio interviews. I am Dr. Mohan Gautam, currently a psychiatry resident at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Today,

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Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Identify realistic presentations of catatonia.
Outline how to use benzodiazepines in the management of catatonia.
Critique second- and third-line treatment options.

Original Release Date: 06/01/2020

Review and Re-release Date: 03/01/2024

Expiration Date: 04/01/2025

Expert: Scott Beach, M.D.

Medical Editors: Mohan Gautam, M.D., Jessica Diaz, M.D.

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

None of the faculty, planners, and reviewers for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose during the last 24 months with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:

Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Answer the quiz for promoting retention of knowledge.
Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
Download your certificate.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Scott R. Beach, M.D.