Catatonic psychosis related to forced normalization in a girl with Dravet's syndrome

Epileptic Disord. 2008 Dec;10(4):325-9. doi: 10.1684/epd.2008.0229.

Abstract

It has been reported that the clinical presentation of forced normalization can vary from paranoid hallucinatory states to anxiety and conversion phenomena, and that it may occur in both generalised and focal epilepsies. On the basis of the evaluation of a video recording, we found that forced normalization was concomitant with catatonic psychosis in a patient with epilepsy, intellectual disability and pervasive developmental disorder. Catatonic psychosis accompanying forced normalization has not been previously reported. As the psychotic symptoms and quality of life worsen seizure control improves, we believe it may be better for the patient to tolerate some seizures, thus preserving their capacity to interact socially.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Child Behavior Disorders / complications
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / complications
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / psychology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / complications
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / psychology*
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intellectual Disability / complications
  • Intellectual Disability / psychology
  • Schizophrenia, Catatonic / etiology*
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants