Two Sides of the Same Coin: A Case Report of First-Episode Catatonic Syndrome in a High-Functioning Autism Patient

Conclusion: This case represents an example of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of catatonic schizophrenia in high-functioning autism due to clinical and neurobiological overlaps of these conditions. We discuss clinical features together with pathophysiological concepts of both conditions. Furthermore, we tackle social and legal hurdles in Germany that naturally arise in these patients. Finally, we present diagnostic “red flags” that can be used to rationally select and conduct current recommended diagnostic assessments if there is a suspicion of ASD in patients with catatonic syndrome in order to provide them with the most appropriate treatment.BackgroundSchizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are common, highly heritable, and severe neurodevelopmental disorders with overlapping genetic, neurobiological, and clinical characteristics. Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder with an average prevalence of about 0.6% (1). ASD are classified as pervasive developmental disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) with an estimated prevalence of 0.6–1% in the general population (2). The core symptoms of ASD are impairments in social interaction, impairments in communication, and restricted as well as repetitive behaviors (3). ASD are usually diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. If the patient exhibits flamboyant psychotic and catatonic symptoms, clinicians are confronted with considerable diffi...
Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research