What is depressive catatonia?

Catatonic depression is a subtype of depression characterized by not speaking or seeming to be in a daze for a prolonged period. A person with catatonic depression does not respond to what is going on around them and may be silent and motionless.

Is catatonia a symptom of depression?

In the past, the term catatonic depression has been used to describe a severe case of depression resulting in symptoms of catatonia, but current research has catatonia defined as its own health issue.

What causes a person to go into a catatonic state?

Doctors aren’t sure exactly what makes someone become catatonic. It happens most often with people who have mood disorders or psychotic disorders, like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. About a third of people who are catatonic also have bipolar disorder.

What is a catatonic mental breakdown?

Catatonic depression is when catatonia occurs concurrently with depression. Catatonia is a state in which a person experiences marked disturbances in motor activity. Although generally thought of as reduced engagement and activity, it may also manifest as excessive or peculiar motor symptoms.

Can anxiety cause a catatonic state?

Catatonia is often a presentation of extreme anxiety and depression. Missing the diagnosis of catatonia would lead to improper treatment, which could be life-threatening.

What does a catatonic episode feel like?

Catatonia affects a person’s ability to move in a normal way. People with catatonia can experience a variety of symptoms. The most common symptom is stupor, which means that the person can’t move, speak, or respond to stimuli. However, some people with catatonia may exhibit excessive movement and agitated behavior.

Can catatonia be caused by trauma?

A collapse or irregular production of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin can trigger depression and cause catatonia. It has also been noted that people with past depression who experience trauma are prone to catatonic depression. For example, a traumatic event or losing a loved one can cause mental trauma.

Is catatonia part of bipolar?

Catatonia was reported with higher prevalence in bipolar patients with a history of psychosis, which may in turn affect more than half of all patients with bipolar disorder [2]. In addition, catatonia has been associated with both manic and depressive states of bipolar disorder [3].

Can catatonia be permanent?

However, some people with catatonia may exhibit excessive movement and agitated behavior. Catatonia can last anywhere from a few hours to weeks, months, or years. It can reoccur frequently for weeks to years after the initial episode. If catatonia is a symptom of an identifiable cause, it’s called extrinsic.

Can anxiety make you catatonic?

Currently, there are three significant subtypes of catatonia, namely, retarded, excited, and malignant catatonia [3]. The presentation of catatonia falls between retarded and excited subtypes, and rarely presents as a hallmark picture of either. Catatonia is often a presentation of extreme anxiety [4].