Ictal catatonia as a manifestation of de novo absence status epilepticus following benzodiazepine withdrawal

To describe ictal catatonia as a manifestation of de novo absence status epilepticus following benzodiazepine withdrawal. Ictal catatonia was documented by concurrent EEG recordings. A catatonic syndrome, first diagnosed as a psychogenic reaction, was found to be an ictal event by EEG recording. De novo absence status and benzodiazepine withdrawal should be considered when a catatonic syndrome suddenly occurs in elderly patients.