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.
The main catatonic symptoms are grouped under three broad categories — motor, behavioral, and speech abnormalities. According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), at least three of the following symptoms are required for a diagnosis of catatonia:
Core Catatonic Symptoms
Stupor, No psychomotor activity; not actively relating to the environment.
Catalepsy, Passive induction of a posture held against gravity (e.g., maintaining an uncomfortable pose).
Waxy flexibility, Slight, even resistance to positioning by the examiner (as if the body were made of wax).
Mutism, Little or no verbal response (not due to aphasia).
Negativism, Opposition or no response to instructions or external stimuli.
Posturing, Spontaneous maintenance of a posture against gravity (e.g., holding arms outstretched).
Mannerisms, Odd, circumstantial caricatures of normal actions.
Stereotypy, Repetitive, non-goal-directed movements (e.g., rocking, hand flapping).
Agitation, Excessive motor activity not influenced by external stimuli.
Grimacing, Fixed or exaggerated facial expressions.
Echolalia, Mimicking another’s speech.
Echopraxia, Mimicking another’s movements.
Simplified Summary
- Motor immobility or rigidity (stupor, catalepsy, waxy flexibility)
- Decreased verbal/motor response (mutism, negativism)
- Repetitive or purposeless behaviors (stereotypy, mannerisms, echolalia, echopraxia)
- Agitation or excitement (when catatonia appears as excessive, purposeless activity.)
- Shervan K Shahhian
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