What are the recommended treatment options for managing catatonia in primary care?

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Posted: 21 August 2025Updated: 21 August 2025 Guideline-Aligned (High Confidence) Clinically Reviewed
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX

Based on the provided UK guideline excerpts, there are no specific recommended treatment options for managing catatonia detailed for a primary care setting.

The guidelines describe stepped-care models where primary care is typically involved in the initial steps of assessment, support, psychoeducation, active monitoring, and low-intensity interventions for conditions like depression and generalised anxiety disorder ,. More severe and complex mental health conditions, such as complex depression complicated by psychotic symptoms, or complex psychosis, are indicated for management at higher steps of care ,. These higher steps involve interventions such as high-intensity psychological interventions, medication, electroconvulsive therapy, crisis services, combined treatments, and multi-professional or inpatient care ,. For complex psychosis, the guidelines refer to specialist recommendations for pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and for referral in crisis . This suggests that conditions as severe as catatonia would typically be managed within specialist mental health services rather than primary care.

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