Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by dysfunctional thought, speech, movement and perception of reality. A person with schizophrenia may have hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, odd body movements or flat affect. This disorder takes a significant emotional toll on the person suffering from schizophrenia and loved ones. Catatonic schizophrenia is a subtype of schizophrenia that is marked with extremes in abnormal body movements, such as being hyperactive or unable to move.
Symptoms
According to the American Psychiatric Association, individuals with catatonic schizophrenia may have immobile body parts, stare or be unresponsive to the environment. For some, if a body part is moved, it remains in that position for a long time. People may engage in excessive activity or repeat the words of others or the movements of others. Sometimes people with catatonic schizophrenia are oppositional to instructions by being physically rigid or mute. Unusual movements of the face or body, such as grimacing and being in inappropriate or strange postures, are sometimes made.
Prevalence
Catatonic schizophrenia is a rare condition, as the numbers of individuals with the disorder have noticeably decreased over the past 50 years, as noted by a study led by Dr. Thomas Stompe in the May/June 2002 issue of "Comprehensive Psychiatry." Stompe and his colleagues proposed that improved schizophrenia treatments and changes in diagnostic criteria might explain the decreased rates of catatonic schizophrenia.
Causes
Researchers are learning the causes of catatonic schizophrenia. One primary theory, as described in an article of the November 2004 edition of the "Annals of Family Medicine," proposes that the disorder develops from an interchange between genetics and environment. Some people may have a genetic predisposition for catatonic schizophrenia and situational factors, such as distress and the chemical setting inside the womb.
Treatment
Catatonic schizophrenia is a chronic mental condition that requires on-going treatment. Medication is the primary treatment for catatonic schizophrenia. Benzodiazepines, also known as sedatives or anti-anxiety medications, are the drugs of choice for alleviating catatonic symptoms. Barbiturates are sometimes used to treat catatonic schizophrenia. Although antipsychotic medications are typically used to treat schizophrenia, antipsychotics are usually not prescribed for the catatonic type, as they may increase catatonic symptoms. Antidepressants are used to help with co-occurring depression, and mood-stabilizers help treat aggression.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used for severe catatonic schizophrenia. ECT is a treatment that delivers electrical currents through the brain. Psychotherapy is also a part of treatment for those who are able to communicate effectively. Therapy can help the person cope with the disorder, learn ways to adhere to medication regimens and acquire living skills.
Relapse and Families
Critical and hostile family environments may trigger relapse of catatonic symptoms. People with schizophrenia who live in families with high levels of criticism, hostility and intrusiveness tend to relapse.
References
- "Annals of Family Medicine"; The Biopsychosocial Model 25 Years Later: Principles, Practice, and Scientific Inquiry; Francesc Borrell-Carrió, Anthony Suchman, and Ronald Epstein; November 2004.
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"; American Psychiatric Association; 2002.
- "Comprehensive Psychiatry"; Are We Witnessing the Disappearance of Catatonic Schizophrenia?"; Thomas Stompe, Gerhard Ortwein-Swoboda, Kristina Ritter, Hans Schanda, and Alexander Friedmann; May/June 2002.
