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Catatonia

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Catatonia is a state of excited or inhibited motor activity, in the absence of a mood disorder, such as depression or elation, or neurological disease.

The term was used in the past to describe a distinct syndrome. Now however it more often describes symptoms which occur individually.

Stupor and excitement are the more prominent symptoms.

Other abnormal behaviours include:

  • posturing
  • negativism
  • echopraxia
  • echolalia
  • ambitendence
  • mitgehen
  • repeated movements

Notes:

  • related definitions
    • catalepsy
      • indefinitely prolonged maintenance of a fixed body posture
        • characterized by lack of response to external stimuli and by muscular rigidity
          • may occur in variety of physical and psychological disorders, such as epilepsy and schizophrenia
          • also can be induced by hypnosis
    • cataleptic is defined as either:
      • pertaining to, characterized by, or inducing catalepsy, or,
      • a person affected with catalepsy

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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