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Hungarian Psychiatrists’ Recognition, Knowledge, and Treatment of Catatonia

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Abstract

DSM-5 introduced a number of modifications to the catatonic syndrome, which is now closer to Kahlbaum’s original concept. The aim of the present study was to assess residents’ and qualified psychiatrists’ knowledge, experience and views about the treatment of catatonia in acute psychiatric care in Budapest, Hungary. Authors approached all psychiatric units that provide acute psychiatric care (N = 11) in Budapest and invited all psychiatrists and residents, who consented, to participate in the survey, completing a 13 items questionnaire. Ninety-eight fully qualified and trainee psychiatrists completed the questionnaire. Although 84.7% of the participants rated their knowledge of catatonia as moderate or significant, there were a number of obvious mistakes in their answers. Most catatonic signs and symptoms were not identified by almost 50% of the respondents and the frequency of catatonia was also underestimated. The views of the majority of the participants reflected the Kraepelinian concept, in which catatonia is primarily associated with schizophrenia. Although benzodiazepines are widely recommended as a first line treatment for catatonia, only 69.4% of participants chose them as a treatment option. In view of its clinical importance, catatonia deserves more attention in the education and training of medical students and psychiatric residents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric Outpatient Service- Tóth Ilona Medical Service, Budapest, Hungary

    Rozália Takács

  2. School of Doctoral Studies, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

    Rozália Takács

  3. University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia

    Gabor S. Ungvari

  4. Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

    Gabor S. Ungvari

  5. Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland

    Anna Z. Antosik-Wójcińska

  6. Centre for Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine -Jahn Ferenc South-Pest Hospital, Budapest, Hungary

    Gábor Gazdag

  7. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary

    Gábor Gazdag

Authors
  1. Rozália Takács
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  2. Gabor S. Ungvari
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  3. Anna Z. Antosik-Wójcińska
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  4. Gábor Gazdag
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rozália Takács.

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Ethical Considerations

The study protocol was approved by the Internal Review Board of the Jahn Ferenc South Pest Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Takács, R., Ungvari, G.S., Antosik-Wójcińska, A.Z. et al. Hungarian Psychiatrists’ Recognition, Knowledge, and Treatment of Catatonia. Psychiatr Q 92, 41–47 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09748-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09748-z

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