Catatonia: A Clinician's Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment

"...an excellent book on catatonia. The book is a very interesting and clinically relevant review of the authors' extensive experience in the research and treatment of this neuropsychiatric illness...Authors Fink and Taylor provide us with valuable clinical experience and information for an improved understanding and a more effective treatment of this form of psychosis." Psychological Medicine

"There are no publications to which I can compare this book. In general, it is a book for clinicians who wish to enhance their knowledge of catatonia and feel confident they are treating it as the experts in the field would suggest. The subtitle, 'A Clinicians' Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment' is an apt description. Since the severe, life-threatening forms of catatonia are infrequent, this book will serve as an excellent source for consultation when faced with neuroleptic malignant syndrome, delirious mania, classical catatonia, or other presentations of the syndrome. It comprehensively summarizes and discusses the collective wisdom found in the literature as well as in the practice of these two renowned clinical research scientists. The book succeeds in its purpose and I highly recommend it for those who treat acutely ill patients, particularly in an inpatient setting." Doody's Review ServiceG

"Overall, the book is extremely readable, informative, and engaging. It is impossible not to be drawn to the drama of the vignettes. The authors have done a great service to psychiatric patients by bringing this syndrome back into the consciousness of psychiatrists, especially young trainees. This book should be read by psychiatrists whose practice extends beyond pure psychotherapy, and should be owned by every psychiatrist who performs ECT. Neurologists, too, would do themselves a favor by gaining an introduction to catatonia through this book." Journal of ECT

Catatonia is a syndrome of motor dysregulation found in as many as 10% of acutely ill psychiatric inpatients. Treatments are well defined, and when used, catatonia has an excellent prognosis. This book, by two leading neuropsychiatrists, describes the features of catatonia, teaches the reader how to identify and treat the syndrome successfully, and describes its neurobiology. Patient vignettes from the authors' practices, and many from the classical literature, illustrate the principles of diagnosing and treating patients with catatonia. It is an essential clinical reference for psychiatrists and neurologists.