120 Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder,
bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, or other mental disorder) (e.g., 295.70 [F25.1]
schizoaffective disorder, depressive type; 293.89 [F06.1] catatonia associated with
schizoaffective disorder).
Diagnostic Features
Catatonia associated with another mental diso rder (catatonia specifier) may be used when
criteria are met for catatonia during the course of a neurodevelopmental, psychotic, bipo-
lar, depressive, or other mental disorder. The catatonia specifier is appropriate when the
clinical picture is characterized by marked ps ychomotor distur bance and involves at least
three of the 12 diagnostic features listed in Cr iterion A. Catatonia is typically diagnosed in
an inpatient setting and occurs in up to 35% of individuals with schizophrenia, but the ma-
jority of catatonia cases invol ve individuals with depressive  or bipolar disorders. Before
the catatonia specifier is used in neurodevel opmental, psychotic, bipolar, depressive, or
other mental disorders, a wide variety of ot her medical conditions need to be ruled out;
these conditions include, but are not limited to, medical cond itions due to infectious, met-
abolic, or neurological conditions (see “Catatonic Disorder Due to Another Medical Con-
dition”). Catatonia can also be a side effect of a medication (see the chapter “Medication-
Induced Movement Disorders and Other Advers e Effects of Medication”). Because of the
seriousness of the complications, particular attention should be paid to the possibility that
the catatonia is attributable to 333.92 (G21.0) neuroleptic malignant syndrome.