Catatonia

Catatonia is a condition characterized by psychomotor disturbance - an interruption of normal movement. Catatonic features can occur with Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder I and II, Schizoaffective Disorder and Schizophrenia. In some cases catatonia may also be an extreme side effect of a medication.

Possible Presentations:

• Stupor - lack of response to external stimuli - e.g., no response to being spoken to or prodded

• Catalepsy - muscular rigidity, so that the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed.

• Excessive motor activity with no purpose

• Extreme negativism - resistance to movement or instruction

• Mutism - being unable or unwilling to speak

• Inappropriate postures and grimacing

• Echolalia - parrotlike repetition of a word or phrase just spoken by another person

• Echopraxia - repetitive imitation of the movements of another person

Complications caused by this condition:

• Malnutrition

• Exhaustion

• Hyperpyrexia - an extremely high fever

• Self-inflicted injury