Understanding Catatonic Schizophrenia: Symptoms & Treatment

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions and disordered thought processes and behavior. The symptoms of schizophrenia include but are not limited to: seeing or hearing things that don't exist, inappropriate behavior, lack of emotion, and in some cases, catatonia. Catatonic schizophrenia is expressed through body movements or the lack thereof.

Body rigidity

• Extreme body rigidity consists of a lack of motor movement. There is an inability to move or speak and the person is unaware of their surroundings.

Extreme movement

• On the other hand, there is extreme purposeless movement. The person's arms may flail or he may make loud noises.

Inappropriate movements

• Inappropriate movements consist of unusual mannerisms, expressions or postures. In some cases, the person follows compulsive routines such as arranging and rearranging objects in the same way.

Mimicry

• Another feature of catatonic schizophrenia is repeatedly saying words or imitating movements made by others.

Warning

• Seek a professional psychologist for an accurate diagnosis. Often, the same behaviors can be evidence of more than one psychological disorder.