Treatment of catatonic stupor with oral lorazepam in 14-year-old psychotic boy

Abstract

The case history of a 14-year-old psychotic boy with catatonic stupor who responded dramatically to 2 mg lorazepam is presented. He had been psychotic for over four weeks and had developed mutism, rigidity, negativism, and posturing (but without fever and without changes in blood and serum parameters) despite neuroleptic therapy, but recovered dramatically from stupor within 40 min. after oral administration of lorazepam.