Catatonic behavior in schizophrenia

Catatonic Behavior in Schizophrenia Catatonic schizophrenia is also known as psychosis, a chronic mental illness which involves extreme abnormal behavior, such as being extremely hyperactive. Recognizing the signs of this condition is very important in order to get proper medication so that more serious complications can be prevented. This mental disorder marked by symptoms such as rigidity, state of unconsciousness, excitement or mania.

Symptoms involving excitement or unconsciousness are most frequent types of behaviors typically displayed by the people suffering from schizophrenia. A person with catatonic excitement usually experience extreme enthusiasm and display manic behaviors such as babbling or speaking without making sense, while those who experience catatonic stupor stay in a state of unconsciousness for extended periods of time. Since this type of schizophrenia is characterized by motor symptoms, it is sometimes believed as a psychotic mood disorder.

Like the other types of mental disorder, the exact causes of catatonic schizophrenia remain unknown.

But researchers noted that there is an evidence of a brain dysfunction that causes this condition. It also involves other factors such as a person's environment, genes or brain structure may play a major part in the progression of this psychological disorder.

Researches show that the certain factors such as intake during childhood, childhood trauma, exposure to viruses as a fetus, genetics and fetus malnutrition are believed to trigger the schizophrenic symptoms.

The illness can cause a person to perceive reality in strange ways and behave inappropriately. He may experience catatonic episode which are recognized as a severe of this disease and may last for only minutes or for many weeks. Fortunately, this type of schizophrenia is very rare nowadays in individualized countries due to improved medications that allow faster recovery to patients.

Physical immobility is the most common symptom of the illness. It happens when a person may be unenthusiastic to move and may pose in an inflexible and rigid manner. He may choose to completely withdrawn and become unaware of his surroundings. Another related symptom is called the waxy flexibility. It is when a person's arms or legs remain in the certain positions they are placed for long periods of time. Experts believe that there is a loss of will and where a person responds to external stimulation and exhibit a complete lack of ability to resist. In contrast, some patients may fail their arms or move at a hyperactive pace. When walking, they can be clumsy and may have unusual postures along with repeat certain movements.

In some cases, patients may abandon the everyday actions, such as cleaning, cooking and other related chores. It is necessary that family members or loved ones who are close to patients understand that this loss of drive is due to their illness, and has nothing to do with being lazy. Moreover, hallucinations and delusions seem very realistic for the schizophrenics because many of them may continue to believe that they are not ill. The mental disorder also affects the ability of patients to make decisions, concentrate and remember simple things. Communicating with others becomes more difficult for them.

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