🧊 Catatonia / Catatonic Disorder


Overview:

Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric condition where a person’s movement, speech, and responsiveness become severely affected.

It can look like a child is “frozen” — unable to move, speak, or react — or, in other cases, extremely agitated without clear reason.


Catatonia isn’t a standalone diagnosis; it’s a syndrome that can appear in several mental or medical conditions, such as mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), psychosis, autism, or even infections and autoimmune illnesses.


💬 While rare, catatonia is treatable — early recognition can save lives.


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💭 Types of Catatonia

1. Retarded Catatonia: Little or no movement, fixed gaze, or mutism (not speaking).

2. Excited Catatonia: Intense, purposeless movement, agitation, or repetitive actions.

3. Malignant Catatonia: A medical emergency with fever, confusion, and autonomic instability (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing changes).


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📊 Prevalence & Facts

• About 5–10% of child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients experience catatonia (Dhossche et al., 2010).

• In children with autism or mood disorders, catatonia may be underdiagnosed because symptoms can be mistaken for “shutting down” or behavioral regression.

• Research shows that benzodiazepine medication and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are effective treatments when properly used in hospital settings.


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🌼 Common Signs Families May Notice

• Child suddenly stops speaking or moving

• Unusual stillness or maintaining odd postures for long periods

• Echolalia (repeating others’ words) or echopraxia (mimicking others’ movements)

• Refusing to eat, drink, or respond

• Sudden bursts of agitation or repetitive behavior (like pacing or rocking)

• Staring or fixed gaze that doesn’t change with interaction


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🧠 Possible Causes

• Severe depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia

• Neurological disorders (encephalitis, seizure disorders)

• Autism spectrum disorder

• Certain medications or withdrawal from sedatives

• Autoimmune or metabolic diseases


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🌷 How Families Can Help

• Seek immediate medical attention if your child becomes unresponsive, rigid, or suddenly agitated.

• Share any recent medication changes or stressors with healthcare providers.

• Avoid physical restraint unless there’s immediate danger — gentle, calm presence is best.

• Catatonia usually requires hospital treatment, and most children recover with medication (such as lorazepam) and supportive therapy.


✨ Remember: catatonia is reversible — early recognition is the key to full recovery.


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References:

• Dhossche, D. M., Wachtel, L. E., & Goetz, M. (2010). Catatonia in childhood and adolescence: Implications for diagnosis and treatment. CNS Drugs, 24(7), 507–523.

• American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., Text Revision).

• Daniels, J. (2009). Catatonia: Clinical aspects and neurobiological correlates. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 21(4), 371–380.