Catatonia in a young woman with intellectual disability and vitamin D deficiency managed with electroconvulsive therapy

Abstract

Catatonia as a syndrome is known to be associated with multiple psychiatric and medical conditions. Although catatonia has been reported in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, there is lack of literature on catatonia in subjects with intellectual disability, especially among the adults. In terms of nutritional deficiencies, catatonia has rarely been reported to be associated with Vitamin D deficiency. In this report, we report a 20-year-old female who presented with catatonia in the absence of evidence of any other psychiatric disorders. Physical examination and investigations did not reveal evidence of any other abnormality, except for Vitamin D deficiency. However, the patient required treatment with electroconvulsive therapy for the management of catatonic symptoms followed by olanzapine up to 7.5 mg for managing psychotic symptoms on follow-up.