Evidence-based consensus guidelines for the management of catatonia: Recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology

The British Association for Psychopharmacology developed an evidence-based consensus guideline on the management of catatonia. A group of international experts from a wide range of disciplines was assembled. Evidence was gathered from existing systematic reviews and the primary literature. Recommendations were made on the basis of this evidence and were graded in terms of their strength. The guideline initially covers the diagnosis, aetiology, clinical features and descriptive epidemiology of catatonia. Clinical assessments, including history, physical examination and investigations are then considered. Treatment with benzodiazepines, electroconvulsive therapy and other pharmacological and neuromodulatory therapies is covered. Special regard is given to periodic catatonia, malignant catatonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome and antipsychotic-induced catatonia. There is attention to the needs of particular groups, namely children and adolescents, older adults, women in the perinatal period, people with autism spectrum disorder and those with certain medical conditions. Clinical trials were uncommon, and the recommendations in this guideline are mainly informed by small observational studies, case series and case reports, which highlights the need for randomised controlled trials and prospective cohort studies in this area

Fusion Learning Colloquium 2022 - Proceedings

This is the proceedings of the 2022 Fusion Learning Colloquium held at Bournemouth University in the UK

Clinical profiles of people with persecutory vs. grandiose delusions who engage in psychological therapy during an acute inpatient admission

Persecutory and grandiose delusions are the most commonly reported sub-types of delusions within inpatient populations. However, little is known about whether clinical profiles might differ between these sub-types, within a sample of patients who agree to engage in a psychological therapy during an acute inpatient admission. We report data on 41 participants who took part in the amBITION study, a randomised controlled trial of a brief talking therapy for psychosis on inpatient wards. Participants with persecutory and grandiose delusions were compared on i) clinical and demographic profiles, ii) psychotic and affective symptoms, and iii) inpatient treatment received (both psychological and pharmacological). Average ratings of frequency of delusions and believability/conviction at the start of therapy were similar between those with persecutory and grandiose delusions. Number of therapy sessions completed, satisfaction with therapy, and medication received, was similar between both groups. Our findings indicate that people with persecutory or grandiose delusions may report distress associated with their experiences, and so be willing to engage in a psychological therapy