Catatonic schizophrenia: therapeutic challenges and potentially a new role for electroconvulsive therapy?

A 36-year-old man with known schizophrenia, presented with increasingly bizarre behaviour. The development of catatonia and subsequent neuroleptic malignant syndrome in itself posed numerous therapeutic challenges. However, following resolution of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, the reintroduction of antipsychotics was not tolerated. This case report proposes a novel use for electroconvulsive therapy as a treatment of mental state, following resolution of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, to facilitate successful reintroduction of antipsychotics.