Catatonia
Pronunciation: kat-uh-TOH-nee-uh
A neuropsychiatric syndrome characterised by motor dysregulation — including stupor, mutism, posturing, and waxy flexibility — that constitutes a psychiatric emergency when severe or accompanied by autonomic instability.
Full Definition
Catatonia is a syndrome of abnormal motor, behavioral, and autonomic findings that can occur across multiple psychiatric and medical diagnoses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autoimmune encephalitis. In emergency psychiatry, it is a time-sensitive diagnosis because malignant catatonia can progress to life-threatening hyperthermia and cardiovascular collapse. DSM-5-TR specifies that catatonia requires the presence of at least three of twelve defined motor signs. Editors must verify that individual catatonic signs — such as 'echolalia,' 'echopraxia,' 'negativism,' and 'catalepsy' — are used with their correct definitions and not conflated with one another or with general psychomotor disturbance. Catatonia should not be used interchangeably with 'stupor' or 'mutism,' which are individual features rather than the syndrome itself.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish 'catatonia' (the syndrome) from individual catatonic features. When used as a specifier (e.g., 'schizophrenia with catatonia'), follow DSM-5-TR formatting conventions.
In Context
- "The emergency physician's note described the patient as 'unresponsive and rigid,' prompting the consulting psychiatrist to document catatonia and initiate a lorazepam challenge." — Emergency Psychiatric Consultation Note
- "The manuscript incorrectly used 'catatonia' to describe any severely withdrawn patient; the editor queried the author to confirm DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria were met." — Peer-Review Editorial Query