Catatonia in a Patient With Bipolar Affective Disorder and Hypothyroidism: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

This case report presents the clinical course of a 33-year-old female with a history of bipolar affective disorder (BAD) who presented to the psychiatric emergency department with sudden-onset altered behavior, along with features indicative of catatonia. Before hospitalization, the patient had not been adherent to psychiatric medications for BAD for a period of several months, likely a contributing factor to the patient’s presenting symptoms. Over a two-week period before hospitalization, the patient exhibited progressive withdrawal, psychomotor retardation, disorganized behavior, and a lack of response to external stimuli. Initial labs upon admission had findings consistent with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. The patient had no prior history of thyroid disease and further endocrinology workup was deferred by the hospitalist to outpatient care upon discharge. While initially in the emergency department, the patient received intramuscular lorazepam for immediate symptom relief, the initial response to the Ativan challenge was not fully documented. Upon evaluation by the inpatient team the next morning, a Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale score of 22 highlighted the severity of catatonia, which may have been further exacerbated by concurrent hypothyroidism. As such, thyroid hormone replacement therapy (levothyroxine) was indicated to normalize thyroid function. Combination treatment initially with lorazepam and levothyroxine was administered for the patient’s catatonia and olanzapine was chosen as the anti-psychotic. Over the subsequent days, the patient’s catatonic symptoms demonstrated positive responses to treatment, prompting adjustments in pharmacotherapy. The patient eventually returned to baseline functioning, with substantial improvements in catatonia as well as mood symptoms. This case underscores the complex interplay between catatonia, bipolar affective disorder, and thyroid dysfunction. The timely identification and management of hypothyroidism in the context of catatonia showcase the potential for favorable outcomes with targeted interventions.