Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
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What Is Catatonia?
Catatonia is a psychomotor disorder that affects both speech and behavior functions. It can manifest as a state of stupor and unresponsiveness or as restlessness, agitation, and confusion.
Currently, the incidence of catatonia is a little more than 10 percent of patients with acute psychiatric illnesses, particularly affective disorders. However, some experts believe that many cases go unreported.
There are three main forms of catatonia: akinetic, hyperkinetic, and malignant catatonia.
Catatonia used to be closely linked toschizophrenia. In fact, until recently, it was considered a subtype of schizophrenia. But it’s now more commonly associated with a broad spectrum of medical and psychiatric illnesses, particularly mood disorders.
Catatonia Symptoms
The symptoms of catatonia will vary depending on the severity and type. However, there are some signs and symptoms that will be common across cases of catatonia.
Some signs occur more frequently. One study involving more than 230 catatonic patients found that staring, immobility, mutism, and withdrawal were reported with a greater frequency than other symptoms.
What Is Catatonic Depression?
Causes of Catatonia
Some common theories include a dysregulation in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, a dysregulation in glutamate, dysregulation of dopamine, or abnormalities of metabolism in the thalamus and frontal lobes.
Other common hypotheses for catatonia include the following:
It’s important to note that the majority of cases will have a detectable underlying cause, but some catatonic cases can also arise from an unknown cause.
Diagnosing Catatonia
Diagnosing catatonia is based on clinical observations. Practitioners can use a scale to diagnose catatonia. One of the most commonly used scales is the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale. Other tools include the Rogers Catatonia Scale, the Northoff Catatonia Rating Scale, and the Braunig Catatonia Rating Scale.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), a patient must present (either during an examination or observed) with three or more of the following symptoms to be diagnosed with catatonia.
Catatonia was separated from schizophrenia in the DSM-5. This allowed catatonia syndrome to be diagnosed as a specifier to a variety of major mental and medical disorders. This has made it easier for practitioners to diagnose the condition.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Overview
Catatonia Treatment
The treatment of catatonia generally falls under one of two categories: pharmaceutical or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
In many cases, mental health experts or doctors need to treat catatonia before they can accurately diagnose and address any underlying conditions.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Definition, Types, Techniques, Efficacy
Coping With Catatonia
Catatonia is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical treatment. That said, if a caregiver or loved one is in need of support, information, or other services, reaching out to an expert can help them cope with the physical and emotional aspects of caring and living with someone with catatonia.
A Word From Verywell
If you suspect someone you know is experiencing catatonia, contact a doctor or call 911 right away. In some cases, catatonia can be serious and life-threatening. However, with a proper diagnosis and the right treatment plan, the prognosis is good.
6 SourcesVerywell 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.Wilcox J, Duffy P.The Syndrome of Catatonia. Behav Sci (Basel). 2015 Dec; 5(4): 576–588. doi:10.3390/bs5040576Rasmussen S, Mazurek M, Rosebush P. Catatonia:Our current understanding of its diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology.World J Psychiatry. 2016 Dec 22; 6(4): 391–398. doi:10.5498/wjp.v6.i4.391Ellul P, Choucha W.Neurobiological Approach of Catatonia and Treatment Perspectives.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2015. December.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00182Walther S, Strik W. Catatonia. CNS Spectr. 2016 Aug;21(4):341-8. DOI:10.1017/S1092852916000274Tandon R, Heckers S, Bustillo J, Barch DM, Gaebel W, Gur RE, Malaspina D, Owen MJ, Schultz S, Tsuang M, et al.Catatonia in DSM-5.Schizophr Res. 2013;150:26–30. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.04.034Sienaert P, Dhossche D, Vancampfort D, et al.A clinical review of the treatment of catatonia.Front. Psychiatry, 09 December 2014.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00181.
6 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.Wilcox J, Duffy P.The Syndrome of Catatonia. Behav Sci (Basel). 2015 Dec; 5(4): 576–588. doi:10.3390/bs5040576Rasmussen S, Mazurek M, Rosebush P. Catatonia:Our current understanding of its diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology.World J Psychiatry. 2016 Dec 22; 6(4): 391–398. doi:10.5498/wjp.v6.i4.391Ellul P, Choucha W.Neurobiological Approach of Catatonia and Treatment Perspectives.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2015. December.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00182Walther S, Strik W. Catatonia. CNS Spectr. 2016 Aug;21(4):341-8. DOI:10.1017/S1092852916000274Tandon R, Heckers S, Bustillo J, Barch DM, Gaebel W, Gur RE, Malaspina D, Owen MJ, Schultz S, Tsuang M, et al.Catatonia in DSM-5.Schizophr Res. 2013;150:26–30. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.04.034Sienaert P, Dhossche D, Vancampfort D, et al.A clinical review of the treatment of catatonia.Front. Psychiatry, 09 December 2014.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00181.
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.
Wilcox J, Duffy P.The Syndrome of Catatonia. Behav Sci (Basel). 2015 Dec; 5(4): 576–588. doi:10.3390/bs5040576Rasmussen S, Mazurek M, Rosebush P. Catatonia:Our current understanding of its diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology.World J Psychiatry. 2016 Dec 22; 6(4): 391–398. doi:10.5498/wjp.v6.i4.391Ellul P, Choucha W.Neurobiological Approach of Catatonia and Treatment Perspectives.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2015. December.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00182Walther S, Strik W. Catatonia. CNS Spectr. 2016 Aug;21(4):341-8. DOI:10.1017/S1092852916000274Tandon R, Heckers S, Bustillo J, Barch DM, Gaebel W, Gur RE, Malaspina D, Owen MJ, Schultz S, Tsuang M, et al.Catatonia in DSM-5.Schizophr Res. 2013;150:26–30. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.04.034Sienaert P, Dhossche D, Vancampfort D, et al.A clinical review of the treatment of catatonia.Front. Psychiatry, 09 December 2014.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00181.
Wilcox J, Duffy P.The Syndrome of Catatonia. Behav Sci (Basel). 2015 Dec; 5(4): 576–588. doi:10.3390/bs5040576
Rasmussen S, Mazurek M, Rosebush P. Catatonia:Our current understanding of its diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology.World J Psychiatry. 2016 Dec 22; 6(4): 391–398. doi:10.5498/wjp.v6.i4.391
Ellul P, Choucha W.Neurobiological Approach of Catatonia and Treatment Perspectives.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2015. December.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00182
Walther S, Strik W. Catatonia. CNS Spectr. 2016 Aug;21(4):341-8. DOI:10.1017/S1092852916000274
Tandon R, Heckers S, Bustillo J, Barch DM, Gaebel W, Gur RE, Malaspina D, Owen MJ, Schultz S, Tsuang M, et al.Catatonia in DSM-5.Schizophr Res. 2013;150:26–30. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.04.034
Sienaert P, Dhossche D, Vancampfort D, et al.A clinical review of the treatment of catatonia.Front. Psychiatry, 09 December 2014.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00181.
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