Catatonic behavior is characterized by exaggerated or loss of motor movements, often due to psychiatric or physical disorders. Treatment options include medication and electroconvulsive therapy. Symptoms may include physical immobility, excessive mobility, resistance, imitating others, and emotional disturbances. Delusions and hallucinations are common in psychiatric disorders. Treatment should be discussed with a medical professional.
Catatonic behavior is described as exaggerated motor movements or a loss of normal motor movements, often leading to muscle stiffness. This symptom is particularly common among those with certain psychiatric or physical disorders, including catatonic schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. Electroconvulsive therapy and the use of prescribed medications are typical treatment options for catatonic behavior. Any questions or concerns about catatonic behavior or the best form of treatment in an individual situation should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.
The inability to move one or more parts of the body, a symptom known as physical immobility, is a common form of catatonic behavior. The patient may be completely unable to move or speak, or in some cases only one part of the body is affected. A person exhibiting catatonic behavior may appear to stare blankly into space and have little or no awareness of their surroundings.
Instead of not being able to move, the catatonic behavior can manifest itself as an excessive amount of mobility. The patient may flail his arms wildly as if extremely excited or even make noises inappropriate to the situation. Extreme resistance is another form of catatonic behavior and can involve a refusal or inability to follow instructions or respond to external stimuli.
In some cases, catatonic behavior may include imitating or copying the movement or speech of others. For example, the patient may repeat a word over and over that someone else just said or may repeat a bodily movement over and over again. Obsessive movements or routines are also common symptoms of catatonic disorders.
Delusions and hallucinations can occur in many who are afflicted with a catatonic disorder, especially if the underlying cause is a psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia. Movements may feel awkward or uncoordinated, and the affected person may have trouble functioning in social situations such as work or school.
Emotional disturbances are among the most common symptoms of a catatonic disorder. The affected person may seem completely emotionless, although an extreme amount of anxiety is usually present. The patient may become socially isolated due to inappropriate behavior and lack of understanding from the general public. Prescription drugs or the use of electric currents can be helpful in treating some catatonic behaviors. The supervising physician or therapist can help the patient decide on the most appropriate treatment methods for an individual situation.
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