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Presentation comparison
EmergencyCovers catatonia, hypoactive delirium, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, serotonin toxicity, and autoimmune encephalitis.
1 of 6 diagnoses compared
| CriteriaComparison detail | Catatonia in mood disorderEmergency |
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Characteristic motor syndrome rather than simple low mood, psychosis, or "behavioural refusal". Mood disorders are a very common substrate.
Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.
| Catatonia in psychotic disorderEmergencyNot selected |
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| Hypoactive deliriumEmergencyNot selected |
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| Neuroleptic malignant syndromeEmergencyNot selected |
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| Serotonin toxicityEmergencyNot selected |
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| Autoimmune encephalitisEmergencyNot selected |
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| Why it fits | Mutism, staring, posturing, negativism, waxy flexibility, stupor | Psychosis plus marked motor syndrome | Quiet, staring, slowed, withdrawn, inattentive | Rigidity, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, autonomic instability, recent antipsychotic start/increase | Agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, clonus, diaphoresis after serotonergic exposure | Catatonia with psychosis, seizures, dyskinesia, autonomic instability |
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| What argues against | Applies to the whole presentationReview locally. | |||||
| Must-not-miss | Refusal of intake, immobility complications, dehydration, autonomic change, hyperthermia, DVT/PE, rhabdomyolysis | Violence in excited catatonia, profound immobility, refusal of intake, autonomic instability | Sepsis, metabolic derangement, hypoxia, drug toxicity | |||
| Bedside question | Applies to the whole presentationCharacteristic motor syndrome rather than simple low mood, psychosis, or "behavioural refusal". Mood disorders are a very common substrate. | |||||
| Immediate action | Applies to the whole presentationUse structured screen (Bush-Francis), examine motor signs, check vitals/hydration/CK, think benzodiazepine challenge early Catatonia is more often mood-linked than many clinicians expect | |||||
| Investigations | Applies to the whole presentationVitals, oxygen saturation, Creatine kinase, Neuroimaging (CT/MRI), EEG, Lumbar puncture / CSF studies | |||||
| Mimics / overlap | Applies to the whole presentationReview overlap locally. | |||||
Scroll horizontally to review more candidate differentials. Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.
Review locally.
Characteristic motor syndrome rather than simple low mood, psychosis, or "behavioural refusal". Mood disorders are a very common substrate.
Use structured screen (Bush-Francis), examine motor signs, check vitals/hydration/CK, think benzodiazepine challenge early Catatonia is more often mood-linked than many clinicians expect
Vitals, oxygen saturation, Creatine kinase, Neuroimaging (CT/MRI), EEG, Lumbar puncture / CSF studies
Review overlap locally.
Mutism, staring, posturing, negativism, waxy flexibility, stupor
Refusal of intake, immobility complications, dehydration, autonomic change, hyperthermia, DVT/PE, rhabdomyolysis
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v10 | Local content only
Last updated: Pending review
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Create a concise comparison summary for documentation or handoff.
Source pending review
v10 | Local content only
Last updated: Pending review
| Hyperthermia, severe autonomic instability, seizures |
| Seizures, autonomic instability, reduced consciousness, movement disorder |