Dexamethasone induced psychosis presenting with catatonic features : scientific letter

Catatonia is a complex condition characterized by the presence of various motor signs and symptoms. It remains a poorly understood, poorly studied, and poorly recognized syndrome. Catatonic features are seen in a range of psychiatric conditions including psychotic disorders, mood disorders, conversion disorder and dementia. Studies have also identified over 35 medical and neurological illnesses associated with catatonia including corticosteroids exposure, central nervous system (CNS) structural damage, encephalitis and other CNS infections, seizures, metabolic disturbances, phencyclidine exposure, neuroleptic exposure, lupus cerebritis, disulfuram, porphyria, and other conditions. These medical causes of catatonia account for between 20% to 30% of such cases.