How to identify catatonic schizophrenia?

Catatonic schizophrenia is an uncommon and severe mental illness marked by striking motor behavior, usually manifested as either markedly reduced voluntary movement or agitation and hyperactivity.

The patient may occasionally remain almost completely immobile, frequently adopting statuesque poses. Patients may be immobile and in a stiff position for several hours or even days.

Catatonic schizophrenia used to be regarded as a separate diagnosis and a subtype of schizophrenia. Nowadays, though, schizophrenia is known and diagnosed as a spectrum disorder.

Catatonnic schizophrenia is no longer an official diagnosis. (Image via Freepik/Freepik)

Catatonia is recognized as a syndrome that occurs with a range of mental diseases, not just schizophrenia. It's a symptom that can accompany severe mental illness and is marked by abnormal movement and communication difficulties.

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Symptoms of catatonic schizophrenia

It's possible to assess for catatonia with the help of a mental health professional. (Image via Freepik/ Freepik)

Diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia might be difficult, as its symptoms can mimic those of other diseases. Catatonia frequently manifests as a disconnect between the patient's awareness and outside environment. What you perceive is the incapacity to behave properly, move, converse and make eye contact.

Those who are catatonic frequently have disconnected speech and actions from their surroundings. They might make loud noises out of the blue or hold themselves in a position even if it hurts their body. Catatonic conditions can linger for hours, days, or longer and pose a risk to life.

A person will display three or more catatonic symptoms when they are catatonic. These signs could consist of:

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that in many cases requires hospitalization. (Image via Freepik/Freepik)

• Catatonic stupor: Total absence of psychomotor activity and interactions with the environment
• Negativism: A lack of responsiveness to external or environmental stimuli
• Mutism: Minimal to no speech or verbal answers.
• Echopraxia: Repeating other people's movements.
• Waxy flexibility: is the ability to remain in a position after being pushed into it till being moved again.
• Cataplexy: Maintaining unnatural or uncomfortable positions
• Stereotypy: Doing routine actions repetitively
• Manerism: Employing excessive gestures without a clear purpose.

A person with catatonic schizophrenia may also exhibit additional, more traditional schizophrenia symptoms, like:

• Hallucination: Perceiving unreal sounds, sights, sensations, smells or tastes
• Delusion: Firm convictions that are unfounded in reality
• Disorganized speech and thoughts: difficulties with concentration that cause muddled thoughts and speech
• Flattening: The absence of any overt displays of emotion
• Social isolation: excluding oneself from friends and family and absence of enjoyment struggling to enjoy experiences or activities

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Diagnosing catatonic schizophrenia

Often with the help of medications and therapy, the symptoms can be managed. (Image via Freepik/Freepik)

Catatonic symptoms can be caused by a variety of disorders other than schizophrenia. These include other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and depression, as well as physiological conditions like epilepsy and stiff person syndrome.

Healthcare professionals will perform both psychological assessments and physical checks on a patient who exhibits catatonic schizophrenia symptoms to better understand the disorder and rule out other possible causes.

A psychiatric examination is typically required so that medical professionals may learn more about catatonic symptoms and ascertain how long a patient has endured them.

Nevertheless, it's important to keep in mind that a person who's catatonic might not always be able to answer inquiries. In certain situations, a care practitioner might need to discuss physical symptoms with partners, domestic partners or family members.

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Catatonic behaviors can severely impact an individual's sense of self and identity. Unfortunately, schizophrenia is a chronic disorder that needs to be managed. Catatonic symptoms, nevertheless, may not last forever. Even if the person's symptoms go away temporarily and they feel better, those who have the disorder need ongoing treatment.

The course of treatment is generally the same for all types of schizophrenia. However, these approaches can change based on a person's age, state of health and degree of catatonic schizophrenia symptoms.

Reach out to a recognized mental health center as soon as you can if a loved one seems to be displaying symptoms of catatonic schizophrenia. The clinic may carry out a thorough assessment to create the best treatment plan and provide them with the immediate assistance they require.

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Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.

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