Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCopingFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Causes
Treatment
Coping
FAQs
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The physical manifestations of psychomotor impairment vary in scope and severity, but are usually obvious to both loved ones and healthcare professionals.
Psychomotor retardation occurs commonly during depressive episodes ofbipolar disorder, as well as duringmajor depressive disorder. In these circumstances, the effects are usually temporary and recede as the depression lifts.
That said, the development of psychomotor retardation does not always signal adepressive episode. Other situations and conditions, such as drug side effectsand certain medical conditions,can also trigger slowed physical and mental activity.
Symptoms of Psychomotor Retardation
People with psychomotor retardation move, speak, react, and often think more slowly than normal. This can manifest in a variety of ways, largely depending on the severity of the impairment.
Delayed responsiveness and difficulty following another person’s conversation are common. Complexmental processes—such as calculating a tip or mapping out directions—take longer to accomplish.
Common examples of physical impairment include:
A person with severe psychomotor retardation may appearcatatonic. In this state, the person does not respond normally to others or the environment. Catatonia is a medical emergency as it can become life-threatening.
Psychomotor retardation isn’t a diagnosis in and of itself. Instead, it is asymptom of major depressive disorder. That said, the extent of psychomotor retardation may help healthcare providers better understand how many depressive episodes have been experienced.
To identify psychomotor retardation severity, a healthcare provider will likely look at the person’s:
If you have psychomotor impairment without depression or bipolar disorder, a healthcare provider will investigate other causes for the condition, such as a reaction to a medication.
Causes of Psychomotor Retardation
The degree of physical and mental blunting often correlates to the severity of the depressive episode. Other psychiatric disorders sometimes associated with psychomotor retardation include:
Psychomotor impairment is also sometimes present withsubstance abuse. Nervous system diseases and other conditions might cause blunted or slow physical and mental activity as well, including:
A person’s age and sex can also influence the prevalence and extent of psychomotor slowness.
Several steps can be taken to help treat psychomotor slowing.
Medication
Reviewing current medications is one of the first steps in addressing psychomotor retardation. This is important to determine whether medication side effects might be triggering the physical and mental slowness. Certainanti-anxiety drugsandantipsychotic medicationscommonly prescribed for bipolar disorder are possible culprits.
If current medication side effects are not the cause, and other potential causes have been ruled out, prescribing a new medication is typically the first line of defense in treating psychomotor impairment associated with a depressive episode.
Common medication options for people with bipolar disorder who are experiencing a depressive episode includeAbilify(aripiprazole),Depakote(valproic acid),Lamictal(lamotrigine),Latuda(lurasidone),lithium,Seroquel(quetiapine), and Zyprexa (olanzapine).
The choice of medication or combination of medicines is made on an individual basis. Current and past medications, and an individual’s response to them, are important considerations in drug treatment decisions.
Other Treatment Options
Once the right combination of medications is found,psychotherapyand other non-medical therapies may be used in addition to medication to support long-term mood stabilization.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Coping With Psychomotor Retardation
In addition to medication and other treatment options, there are a few things you can do to better cope with psychomotor slowness.
Frequently Asked Questions
If psychomotor impairment is a side effect of a certain medication, discontinuing that medication or switching to a new medication can resolve these effects. Your healthcare provider can help you do both of these safely as you should never stop taking a medication without talking to your healthcare provider first. If psychomotor impairment is due to a depressive episode, treating the depression can help reduce the impairment.
Everyone is different. For some, psychomotor slowness is short-term, easing or resolving as depression is treated. In cases of recurrent major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, the psychomotor impairment may last longer—even continuing after the mood-related symptoms have been resolved.
9 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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