A catatonic episode is a medical emergency because of risks like dehydration, malnutrition, or self-harm.
See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist for more information.
Catatonic symptoms refer to a group of psychomotor disturbances seen in various mental and medical conditions (most often in schizophrenia, mood disorders, or neurological conditions). These symptoms can range from severe motor immobility to excessive agitation and bizarre movements.
Here’s a breakdown of the main catatonic symptoms and how they differ:
1. Motor Immobility (Stupor)
- Definition: Complete lack of movement or response to external stimuli.
- Example: A person remains motionless for hours, doesn’t react to being touched or spoken to.
- Differentiation: Unlike depression-related slowing, in catatonia the immobility is extreme and may include rigidity.
2. Mutism
- Definition: Little or no verbal response despite the ability to speak.
- Example: The person is awake but silent, even when directly addressed.
- Differentiation: Not due to language comprehension deficits or refusal—it’s a motor inhibition of speech.
3. Negativism
- Definition: Resistance to instructions or attempts to be moved, or doing the opposite of what is asked.
- Example: When asked to raise their arm, the person resists or lowers it instead.
- Differentiation: Different from oppositional behavior; this resistance is automatic, not purposeful.
4. Posturing
- Definition: Voluntarily holding a bizarre or rigid posture for long periods.
- Example: Standing with arms raised or body twisted in an unnatural position for minutes or hours.
- Differentiation: Maintained despite discomfort and without external cause.
5. Waxy Flexibility
- Definition: Limbs remain in positions placed by another person, as if the body were made of wax.
- Example: If you lift the person’s arm, it stays in that position until moved again.
- Differentiation: A key sign of catatonia, showing passive maintenance of imposed posture.
6. Echolalia
- Definition: Repeating another person’s words or phrases.
- Example: When you say “How are you?” the person responds, “How are you?”
- Differentiation: Not purposeful mimicry; it’s automatic repetition.
7. Echopraxia
- Definition: Imitating another person’s movements.
- Example: If you scratch your head, the patient mimics the movement.
- Differentiation: Unlike playful imitation, it’s involuntary and repetitive.
8. Catatonic Excitement
- Definition: Extreme, purposeless motor activity; agitation without clear goal.
- Example: Running around, grimacing, shouting, or repetitive gestures.
- Differentiation: Not driven by external stimuli or internal goals (unlike mania).
9. Stereotypy and Mannerisms
- Stereotypy: Repetitive, non-goal-directed movements (e.g., rocking, finger tapping).
- Mannerisms: Odd, exaggerated movements with apparent purpose (e.g., saluting repeatedly).
- Differentiation: Both differ from tics or compulsions because they lack awareness or intent.
Summary Table
| Category | Example Symptom | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Decreased Motor Activity | Stupor, Mutism, Waxy Flexibility | Stillness, lack of response |
| Increased Motor Activity | Catatonic Excitement | Agitated, purposeless movement |
| Abnormal Motor Behavior | Posturing, Echolalia, Echopraxia | Odd or repetitive movements/speech |
| Negativistic Behavior | Negativism | Opposition to movement/instruction |
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 