Catatonic excitement

Severe purposeless excitement, impulsive/bizarre overactivity, odd postures, switching between excitement/shutdown

EmergentReview due

At a glance

Watch forMalignant catatoniaautonomic instabilitydehydrationrhabdomyolysis

Subjective bodily torment and urge to move dominate. Mood or psychosis may be absent.

Separates the Psychomotor Agitation group. It is not specific to Catatonic excitement.

Rows marked “Whole group”: Applies to the Psychomotor Agitation group — not specific to Catatonic excitement

Severe purposeless excitement, impulsive/bizarre overactivity, odd postures, switching between excitement/shutdown

Key features

Malignant catatonia, autonomic instability, dehydration, rhabdomyolysis.

High-risk causes4 causes

Applies to the Psychomotor Agitation group.

Subjective bodily torment and urge to move dominate. Mood or psychosis may be absent.

Helpful clues

Applies to the Psychomotor Agitation group.

None listed

Priority steps

Applies to the Psychomotor Agitation group.

None listed

Core tests

Applies to the Psychomotor Agitation group.

None listed

Consider

Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.