Catatonic schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness in which reality appears to be distorted, according to the MayoClinic.com. It consists of extreme behavior such as the inability to speak, respond or move. Catatonic schizophrenics may stay in one position for hours, days, weeks or even months without moving. The exact cause of catatonic schizophrenia is unknown, though its been suggested that it may stem from a brain dysfunction precipitated by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Brain Chemistry
People who have catatonic schizophrenia have problems with certain naturally occurring neurotransmitters, chemicals that send messages to the brain to allow speech and movement, according to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders. A person may experience hallucinations and delusions when his brain is unable to receive the messages needed to accurately process information. Specifically, it is believe that high levels of dopamine or low levels of glutamate may cause schizophrenia in some individuals. Dopamine and glutamate control the area of the brain responsible for planning, reasoning and decision-making.
Brain Structural Abnormalities
MayoClinic.com states that there appears to be differences in the brain structure of people who have catatonic schizophrenia and those who do not have it. Schizophrenics have enlarged brain ventricles and less brain tissue than people who do not have the illness. It has been suggest that an abnormal brain structure is directly linked to hallucinations, delusions and disorganized speech.
Genetics
Catatonic schizophrenia tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. People who have a close relative with schizophrenia have a higher chance of getting the illness themselves then people who do not have a family history. According to PsychCentral, a child with at least one parent with schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance of also inheriting the mental illness later in life. In addition, it has been suggested that certain medical conditions, such as cerebrovascular disease, encephalitis and Parkinson's disease, can cause catatonic schizophrenia. The Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders states that infectious, metabolic and neurological conditions that affect brain function, speech and movement have been linked to the onset of catatonic schizophrenia.
Environmental Factors
Environmental stressors may cause catatonic schizophrenia in people who are already predisposed to it. High levels of stress can cause the body to produce excess cortisol, a hormone that is responsible for controlling stress in the body. The website Battling for Health states that viral infections, low oxygen levels during birth, childhood virus or diseases, parental loss or separation, or childhood abuse can activate schizophrenia later in life.
