Catatonic schizophrenia is a psychotic mental illness that commonly develops during a person's teens or 20s. It is characterized by either stupor or frenzy. Signs of stupor include sitting motionless, inability to speak, staring into space for hours, not reacting to others and assuming bizarre positions. Signs of frenzy include purposeless, excessive movements such as flailing of the arms and making loud noises. The individual may continually repeat a word that someone says or repeat an action, explains MayoClinic.com. Scientists have several theories as to the cause of catatonic schizophrenia.
Neurotransmitters
Schizophrenia is characterized by abnormal neurotransmitter levels in the brain. An overactive dopamine system, which acts as a neurotransmitter, plays a role in the development of symptoms. Scientists have discovered that administration of medications that block dopamine results in reduction of schizophrenia symptoms, lending credence to this theory, according to the University of Washington.
Genetics
Genetic influences are felt to play a strong factor in many cases of catatonic schizophrenia. The non-profit organization Schizophrenia.com relates that someone with an immediate relative who has a mental illness is more likely to develop schizophrenia. For example, if one identical twin suffers from schizophrenia, the other twin has an approximately 50 percent chance of developing it as well.
Environment
The environment appears to play a critical role in whether an individual will develop catatonic schizophrenia. If a woman is poorly nourished or develops a virus while pregnant, the child is at increased risk, according to MayoClinic.com. Abuse and trauma during childhood also add to the risk of schizophrenia. The use of drugs such as marijuana during adolescence and stressful life circumstances such as poverty play a role. Infection during early childhood and difficulties with social relationships may also increase the risk of schizophrenia, according to the University of Washington.
Sperm DNA Damage
Older fathers are at increased odds of having a child who develops schizophrenia. This is believed to be due to the sperm's increased risk of carrying damaged DNA. Schizophrenia.com estimates that a child born to a man in his 40s has double the risk. A child born to a man in his 50s has a risk of schizophrenia that is three times that of a child born to a man in his 20s.
References
- “Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice”; Mary C. Townsend, M.N., A.P.R.N.; 2006
- Schizophrenia.com: Causes of Schizophrenia
- MayoClinic.com: Catatonic Schizophrenia
- BehaveNet: Catatonic Schizophrenia
- University of Washington: Schizophrenia
