Clinical Research Case Report

Abstract

Introduction:Meditation is a form focusing the mind which can be described as a transcendence of conscious awareness. The DSM described a form of acute self-limited psychotic reaction which occurs as a consequence to meditation. We describe a case of a middle aged woman who presented to us with predominant symptoms of catatonia. She was later diagnosed to be meditating.

Caseoutline:The patient was a 52-year-old married female belonging to a popular sect In North India who presented to us with an 8 month history of progressive social withdrawal and repeated episodes lasting for 2-3 days during which the patient would demonstrate mutism, posturing, stupor and negativism. The patient’s self-care, appetite and sleep gradually deteriorated over the period. Members of the same sect would be divided as to whether her behavior was sanctioned meditation or deviation from normality. The patient was finally brought by her son- a cardiologist when her medical condition deteriorated. After admission, the patient was mute for 2 days before she recovered and explained that she was meditating. Psychosocial stressor was in the form of guilt over an abortion by the daughter in law. No other psychopathology was elicited and the patient continued to maintain well on follow up.

Conclusion:This case describes a middle aged female who developed symptoms of catatonia following a period of intense meditation. Over the decades various cases of short lasting self-limited cases of psychosis as a result of meditation have been reported. This case was unique with respect to the lack of psychiatric history, the late age of onset and the recovery without need for psychotropics. In conclusion, meditation may act as a stressor in vulnerable subjects and may result in catatonic state that most probably is self-limiting and therefore does not always require antipsychotic treatment.