Catatonia: A deep dive into its unfathomable depths

Table 1 British Association of Psychopharmacology evidence-based consensus guidelines for the management of catatonia: Summary of key recommendations

Recommendation category	Details
General approach and first-line treatment	Emphasised use of GABA-ergic pharmacotherapies as first-line treatment; followed by recommendation for management of non-response, and considering underlying conditions, and potential complications
Other therapies	Use of ECT, evolving treatment modalities like N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, dopamine precursors, agonists and reuptake inhibitors, dopamine receptor antagonists and partial agonists, anticonvulsants, anticholinergic agents, miscellaneous treatments; alternatives to ECT include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct-current stimulation
Subtypes of catatonia and related conditions	Specific recommendations for periodic catatonia, malignant catatonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and medication-induced catatonia
Special groups and situations	Considerations for children and adolescents, older adults, the perinatal period (including the safety of lorazepam and use of ECT), individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and those with certain medical conditions
Research priorities	Emphasises the need for more randomised controlled trials and prospective cohort studies to strengthen evidence base for management of catatonia

GABA: Gamma-aminobutyric acid; ECT: Electroconvulsive therapy.