Psychiatric News (4/7) reports a study found that “treatment with benzodiazepines during an episode of catatonia may cut the risk of future catatonia in half.” Investigators examined “the medical records of 205 adults who were hospitalized with catatonia between 2001 and 2021. Overall, 31% of patients experienced recurrence, with a median time to recurrence of 6.4 years.” They found that “benzodiazepines were associated with a 50% decreased risk of future catatonic episodes over the follow-up period. Antipsychotics were associated with a 64% lower risk of recurrence within 60 days of the index episode but more than double the risk of recurrence in the long run.” Overall, the “findings support the use of benzodiazepines as a first-line treatment option, the researchers said, adding that 88% of patients in this analysis received benzodiazepines either alone or in combination with another treatment.” The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Related Links:
— “Benzodiazepines May Cut Risk of Recurrent Catatonia in Half, Psychiatric News , April 7, 2026