Catatonic Schizophrenia--Possible Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Catatonic schizophrenia is one of the subtypes of schizophrenia. In addition to losing touch with reality and exhibiting extremes of behavior, with this type of schizophrenia one may also appear in a daze or a coma-like status with an inability to speak, move or respond. The body may freeze in a certain position and remain like that for hours. In other cases, the individual may talk rapidly, appear incoherent and have purposeless movements. At times the individual may appear frenzied and make loud noises. During the acute attack, the individual is often unable to respond to any verbal commands. The person may mimic words or copy movements made by others. The only emotion present during catatonia is extreme anxiety.
Catatonic schizophrenia is very rare today because of better schizophrenia treatment. In fact, catatonia is very rarely seen with schizophrenia and more likely to appear with certain other physical and mental disorders.
Like most schizophrenics, catatonic schizophrenia individuals also lack emotion, have inappropriate emotions, anger outbursts and live solitary lives. These people may also continue to have delusions and hallucinations but the intensity is less than the other subtypes of schizophrenia.
Catatonic episodes usually last less than 24 hours but they may also last several weeks if no treatment is undertaken. The cause of this subtype of schizophrenia remains unknown but has been linked to both genetics and the environment.
Even though the exact cause of catatonic schizophrenic is not known, certain factors may increase the risk of developing this type of schizophrenia. This includes:
- Having a family history of mental illness
- Having been exposed to a viral infection during pregnancy
- Stressful childhood
- Poor prenatal nutrition
- Abuse of various illicit drugs
Catatonic schizophrenia tends to present in the second decade of life and is slightly more common in men. Catatonic schizophrenia is a life-long disorder and requires treatment even when the condition has stabilized.
The treatment of catatonic schizophrenia is combination of cognitive psychotherapies and medications.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment2 Comments
I understand that ECT combined with benzodiazopines, specifically Atavan, is a treatment that's doing wonders for catatonic schizophrenia.
January 19, 2011 - 4:10pmThis Comment
Information we all need to know about Schizophrenia... especially if you have friends or loved ones dealing with this... please read:
Schizophrenia:
The Name of the Demon, Telepathic Communications
Before one can understand this machine we call consciousness, one must be prepared to accept new concepts.
Telepathic communication is a lot like being on the internet; if you are chatting with a group of people on the internet, you will often not know those who you are talking with. The internet is a great place for someone to portray themselves falsely.
When our guides talk to us, they use a highly sophisticated “other dimensional radio”. All of us on the earth have a computer address which is just like an “IP Address” for those of us who understand a little about computer terminology. This address is considered sacred and given only to those who are authorized to have it (our guides), those who are authorized to speak to a specific person on the earth. However, just like on the earth, there are those “out there” who are willing to commit crimes for one reason or another.
It is important for those who work in the field of human behavior including the religious and scientific communities, to understand what is truly occurring in order to put an end to it. When we can move beyond our primitive beliefs and theories in both science and religion and see these disorders for what they truly are, then they can be confronted by the scientists, the priests and those afflicted in an intelligent and effective manner.
To read article in its entirety, please visit…
February 13, 2011 - 4:50pmhttp://www.divineadvancedhumanbeings.com/the-name-of-the-demon-schizophr...