Catatonia is a condition characterized by psychomotor disturbance, an interruption of normal movement.
Catatonic features occur most often in
schizophrenia,
schizoaffective disorder and similar conditions, but can occur with bipolar spectrum disorders and major depressive disorder. In some cases, catatonia may also be an extreme side effect of a medication.
Possible symptoms of catatonia
- 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
Possible complications of catatonia
- Malnutrition
- Exhaustion
- Hyperpyrexia - an extremely high fever
- Self-inflicted injury
