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 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
