Catatonia Treatment in Brookline, MA
Catatonia is a serious neuropsychiatric condition that can involve changes in movement, speech, responsiveness, and behavior. Symptoms may fluctuate, be misunderstood, or overlap with other medical or psychiatric conditions, making timely and accurate evaluation essential.
Dr. Annabel Kuhn provides expert outpatient assessment and treatment of catatonia in both children and adults. Her work emphasizes diagnostic clarity, careful monitoring, and coordination with medical and mental health providers when needed to ensure safe, appropriate care.
If you are seeking specialized psychiatric expertise for suspected or diagnosed catatonia, this page outlines how evaluation and treatment are approached within Dr. Kuhn’s practice.
Meet Dr. Kuhn
Dr. Annabel Kuhn is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed her residency and fellowship at Harvard Medical School. She maintains a limited patient panel to ensure availability, responsiveness, and a consistently high level of care.
Learn More →Understanding Catatonia
Catatonia is a serious but treatable neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by specific motor, behavioral, and autonomic abnormalities. It is significantly underdiagnosed, particularly in pediatric populations. In children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, catatonia symptoms are frequently misattributed to baseline behavioral patterns, leading to diagnostic delays.
Catatonia is not a standalone diagnosis—it is always secondary to an underlying medical or psychiatric condition. Accurate diagnosis relies on physical examination findings and rating scales such as the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are critical, as untreated catatonia carries significant medical risks.
Signs & Symptoms
Dr. Kuhn's Approach to Catatonia Treatment
For patients with established diagnoses, Dr. Kuhn manages high-dose benzodiazepine treatment and tapers with meticulous oversight. She collaborates with members of the patient's care team, including other psychiatrists, neurologists, and primary care clinicians, to ensure coordinated care.
When electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is needed, Dr. Kuhn facilitates referrals and coordinates with the ECT team throughout treatment. For cases with diagnostic uncertainty, she may recommend expedited medical and neurological evaluation to assess underlying contributors, while remaining actively involved in your care plan.
Her concierge model ensures direct access and responsive communication—essential for the close monitoring that catatonia treatment requires.
Educational Resource
Dr. Kuhn co-hosted Episode 243 of the Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast on Pediatric Catatonia with Dr. Joshua Ryan Smith from Vanderbilt University, discussing essential clinical skills for identifying and treating this underdiagnosed condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dr. Kuhn treat catatonia in both children and adults?
Yes, Dr. Kuhn provides expert catatonia evaluation and treatment for patients of all ages.
What causes catatonia?
Catatonia is always secondary to an underlying condition. Common causes include mood disorders, psychotic disorders, autism spectrum disorder, medical conditions, and autoimmune processes. A thorough evaluation is essential to identify and treat the underlying cause.
How is catatonia treated?
First-line treatment typically involves benzodiazepines, which Dr. Kuhn manages with careful monitoring. For cases that do not respond adequately to medication, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be indicated. Dr. Kuhn coordinates with ECT teams when referral is appropriate.
Does Dr. Kuhn provide ECT?
Dr. Kuhn does not provide ECT directly but facilitates referral when indicated and coordinates closely with the ECT care team throughout treatment to ensure integrated psychiatric oversight.
Can catatonia occur in children with autism?
Yes. Catatonia can occur in children with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions. It is frequently misdiagnosed or attributed to baseline behavioral patterns, making expert evaluation essential for accurate diagnosis.
What should I expect at the first appointment?
The first appointment includes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation with particular attention to motor and behavioral examination findings. Dr. Kuhn will review medical history and may recommend additional medical or neurological workup when indicated. Visit our Payment & Fees page for details on appointment types and pricing.
What areas does Dr. Kuhn serve?
Dr. Kuhn sees patients in-person in Brookline and the Greater Boston area, including Somerville, Brookline, and surrounding communities. Telehealth appointments are available for patients throughout Massachusetts, though initial evaluations for catatonia typically benefit from in-person assessment.
Ready to Schedule a Consultation?
Dr. Kuhn is accepting new patients in Brookline and the Greater Boston area.
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