Verified By Apollo Hospitals October 1, 2024
Catatonic schizophrenia is a serious mental illness and a subset of schizophrenia. An individual who is afflicted with schizophrenia and is also diagnosed with catatonia at the same time is said to be suffering from catatonic schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia prevents people from distinguishing between reality and imagination. Catatonic schizophrenia typically affects the patient’s movements, thoughts, and speech. In catatonic schizophrenia, the patient may stay still and not talk or get hyperactive for no reason. These symptoms may last for hours or even days. This article delves deeper into the details of catatonic schizophrenia, its causes, symptoms, and various treatment options.
As mentioned earlier, catatonic schizophrenia is a subset of schizophrenia disorder. In this disorder, patients may experience periods of immobilisation – where they either have very little mobility or are unable to move at all and are unresponsive to external stimuli such as instructions, speech, and more.
However, in extreme cases, the individual may demonstrate motor activity that may be considered either excessive or peculiar. These activities include mimicking sounds (echolalia) or mimicking movements (echopraxia), and this is known as catatonic excitement.
Catatonia may show up in a variety of ways. A commonly observed symptom in individuals with catatonic schizophrenia is limited motor movements even though they are physically capable of mobility. The doctor may diagnose catatonia (or catatonic schizophrenia), if you display at least three of the below 12 features, You:
When people or their loved ones experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms medical help must be sought immediately.
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The causes of catatonic disorders vary from person to person, but irregularities in dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate neurotransmitter systems are the primary cause.
Schizophrenia is is most likely a result of a combination of genetics and environmental triggers, such as extreme stress.
Experts opine that an imbalance of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is involved in the beginning stages of schizophrenia. They believe that this imbalance is probably genetic in nature. Levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, can also be involved.
Doctors may diagnose catatonic schizophrenia by performing some or all of the following tests:
Family history is a risk factor for catatonic schizophrenia. But, an individual’s own lifestyle and behavior may also be related. The episodes of catatonic schizophrenic have also been linked to substance misuse.
If left untreated, catatonic schizophrenia may lead to severe health, financial, and behavioural problems. The complications may include:
Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition but the catatonic symptoms may be temporary. Patients with schizophrenia need treatment throughout their life, even when their symptoms seem to have subsided and it seems that the patient is better. The treatment is essentially the same for all types of schizophrenia.
The methods differ depending on several factors such as the severity and types of symptoms, people’s health, and their age.
Medicines are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment. The most commonly prescribed drugs include antipsychotic medications. The following are the medications that help treat catatonic schizophrenia:
This treatment uses either electrical currents or magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain.
Hospitalization may be needed during severe episodes. Patients are safer in a hospital as they are more likely to get proper nutrition, sleep, hygiene, and prompt treatment.
In patients with catatonic schizophrenia, medications are the main part of the treatment. However, psychotherapy may also be useful in certain cases. However, if symptoms are severe, psychotherapy may not be the appropriate treatment for the patient.
Social and vocational skills training may help the patient live independently. This is a vital part of their recovery. The therapist may be able to help the patient learn good hygiene, prepare nutritious meals, and have better communication skills. The patient may also receive support in finding work, housing, and joining self-help groups.
Compliance (adherence) in medicine means taking the medication at the right time and in the correct dosage. Unfortunately, lack of compliance is a big problem for people with schizophrenia. They may stop taking their medication for long periods, thus letting the condition significantly interfere with their lives and the lives of those around them.
Although schizophrenia can be a lifelong condition, catatonic episodes that are associated with schizophrenia can be treated effectively by an experienced psychiatric team.
The best way for people to cope with catatonic schizophrenia is to educate themselves about the diagnosis, symptoms such as erratic and extreme movements, and the correct treatment.
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