One percent of the population has schizophrenia, with symptoms starting before age 45, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Catatonic schizophrenia, one subtype of the disorder, is characterized by changes in the patient's movement. Arthur Schoenstadt, MD, author of the eMedTV article "Catatonic Schizophrenia," states that catatonia is now less common because of available treatment.
Immobility
A patient with catatonic schizophrenia can have immobility, which the Mayo Clinic describes as being unable to move or speak. The patient also has extreme resistance when someone tries to move him. A catatonic patient will look like he is just staring or will stay in a rigid position. The patient may also have catatonic stupor, in which he is unaware of his surroundings. Waxy flexibility is also possible, in which the patient's limb is moved to a position, but then it stays stuck there.
Mood Changes
Mood changes, such as agitation and angry outbursts, can also occur in catatonic schizophrenia. The patient may also have a lack of emotions or have emotional responses that are inappropriate to a certain situation. For example, the patient may laugh during a somber occasion, such as a funeral. The patient is also prone to negative feelings.
Strange Movements
The Mayo Clinic notes that if the patient is not immobile, she can have strange movements, such as excessive mobility; with excessive mobility, the patient may flail her arms or move at a frenzied pace. When walking, the patient can be clumsy and uncoordinated. The patient may have unusual postures or repeat certain movements. Echopraxia, in which the patient copies another person's movement, is possible; if the patient repeats spoken language, it is considered echolalia.
Hallucinations and Delusions
As with other forms of schizophrenia, the catatonic schizophrenia patient can have a break with reality. Symptoms of psychosis include delusions and hallucinations. A delusion is a belief not based on reality, such as the patient believing that he has super powers. A hallucination is seeing or hearing things that do not exist; the Mayo Clinic notes that hearing voices is the most common type of hallucination experienced with schizophrenia.
Other Symptoms
A patient with catatonic schizophrenia can have trouble functioning in school or work and may be social isolated. He may also neglect his personal hygiene. When the patient speaks, his speech may be incoherent. The NIH adds that the patient may have a decreased sensitivity to pain.
