Indefinitely prolonged maintenance of a fixed body posture; seen in severe cases of catatonic schizophrenia.
A generalized condition of diminished responsiveness shown by trancelike states, posturing, or maintenance of physical attitudes for a prolonged period. May occur in either organic diseases or psychological disorders, as well as under hypnosis.
A condition in which the muscles are waxy and semirigid, tending to maintain the limbs in any position in which they are placed, catatonic.
A condition of ten associated with schizophrenia, where a person becomes incapable of sensation, the body is rigid and he or she does not move for long periods.
Trancelike state in which the voluntary muscles become rigid and the body does not react to stimuli or change in position; occurs in psychotic patients and occasionally in persons under hypnosis.
A rare, abnormal state of trancelike consciousness accompanied by postural rigidity. Catalepsy may last for hours. During this time, a person’s expression and body position remain the same, even if the position appears uncomfortable (such as an upraised arm). Efforts to change the person’s position will be met with resistance. Catalepsy may be a symptom of epilepsy, hysteria, or schizophrenia. It can also occur during hypnosis or as a result of brain disease.
The abnormal maintenance of postures or physical attitudes, occurring in catatonia. These may have arisen spontaneously or they may be induced by the examiner. There is no resistance to passive movements, which distinguishes it from flexibilitas cerea.
A physical condition in which part or all of the body becomes rigid. It is characterised by the adoption of strange — often statue-like — poses (catatonia), which may pass off within a few minutes or may last for several hours (rarely, days). Typically brought on by a sudden mental trauma, catalepsy may occur with prolonged depression or some other serious mental illness, and occasionally with epilepsy. Successful treatment must depend upon due recognition of all precipitating factors and circumstances.
A condition seen in some patients after parietal lobe strokes and some psychotic patients in which patients may appear to be in a trance or may assume rigidly held body postures.
Catalepsy is a condition characterized by a partial rigidity of the muscles in the face, body, and limbs, causing them to assume a statue-like posture for varying durations, ranging from minutes to hours or even days. While catalepsy can manifest in individuals with schizophrenia or epilepsy, it can also be attributed to brain disorders or specific medications.
A hypnotic-like condition linked with conditions such as hysteria and schizophrenia, catalepsy is a form of self-induced sleep. In localized instances, it impacts a specific muscle or muscle group, allowing the individual to maintain a position, like keeping an arm raised, for an extended time without noticeable tiredness.