Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome or Catatonia? A Case Report

Abstract

A review of the literature has shown that there are many similarities in the presentation of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) and catatonia. Attempts to reconcile the differences have been made by suggesting that NMS and catatonia may represent different presentations of the same illness or that they lie within the same spectrum of a poorly understood clinical syndrome. The described case is of a patient who presented with NMS and catatonia which was difficult to diagnose, but which responded to treatment with intravenous diazepam.

Keywords

• neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• malignant catatonia
• neuropsychiatric syndrome
• benzodiazepines