First case of catatonic psychosis caused by consumption of Spice described by researchers

According to the 2010 ESTUDES survey, the spice is a psychoactive substance consumed by 1.1% of Spanish adolescents. Until now, recent studies had already shown the relation between the spice and different types of psychosis, but this is the first clinical case described on an international scale in which the psychotic break appears with abnormal movements. The movement disorder detected in this case, similar to catatonia, consists in the loss of harmony in the walking process and neck, arms and head stiffness.

According to the Head of the Serious Dual Pathology Program at Castellón and Professor of Medicine at CEU-UCH Gonzalo Haro Cortés, who led this case study, the other relevant aspect is that the motor symptoms and the bent-over posture of "mantis religiosa" persisted even months after stopping the consumption. "In the cases described so far, rigidity and movement delay had only been detected when the substance was being used, but never afterwards, some months after quitting the consumption."

Doctor Gonzalo Haro highlights, as one of the most relevant aspects of the case "the episodes of catatonia which so far had only been described in researches conducted on animals, with rats exposed to high doses of spice." Thus, he underlines the necessity of spreading the news of these movement disorders in prevention campaigns in order to increase the perception of risk related to the consumption of these substances, which are sold in shops where Marijuana or othe natural herbs mixes are sold as legal, and through internet with "home delivery."

Unique case of Dual Pathology

Doctor Gonzalo Haro, who is in charge of the Specialization Degree in Advanced Serious Dual Pathology given by the Faculty of Medicine of the CEU-UCH in Castellón, adds that this is a really significant case in the field of Dual Pathology, the relation between the abuse of substances and mental disorders. "More than 40% of patients diagnosed as alcohol-dependent and 50% of those who are diagnosed as dependent to other substances show, in turn, other psychiatric diagnoses." The case currently described, which shows the link between catatonic psychosis and spice use is the only one in the Dual Pathology field.