Mood disorders A case of adolescent bipolar disorder presented with catatonic picture

When catatonia, which is included in DSM-IV-TR as a characteristic of the disorders related to general medical status, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and major depressive disorder, is considered as a spectrum, it is the picture seen in motor immobility with a course of catalepsy or stupor, excessive motor activity, extreme negativism or mutism, adoption of posture, waxy şexibility, stereotypical movements or purposeless movements not affected from external stimuli, echolalia or echopraxia frequently seen together with mood disorders. Catatonia, of which the cause is not clearly known, can be lethal if treated erroneously. The research on catatonia in children and adolescents are limited; and this picture can be frequently seen in the course of Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Mood Disorders. Its incidence in the adolescent psychiatric incidence is estimated in the range of 0.6 to 17%. Its rarity in children as compared to adults and possibility of confusion with the signs of other psychiatric diseases makes the research difficult. In this case report, an adolescent case will be discussed, who was evaluated as excited catatonia picture and gave dramatic response to lorazepam. The discussed case highlights the requirement of more careful consideration of symptoms in children and adolescents, who apply with this type of presentation, and that catatonia must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis.