catatonic type schizophrenia
Noun: A subtype of schizophrenia characterized by pronounced motor disturbances. These primarily include prolonged periods of stupor and immobility (catatonia), which may alternate with brief episodes of extreme agitation and excitement.
This is a clinical, diagnostic term used in psychiatry and medicine. It describes a specific presentation of a major mental disorder. - The patient was diagnosed with catatonic type schizophrenia after exhibiting weeks of mute rigidity. - Treatment for catatonic type schizophrenia often addresses the acute motor symptoms first.
- The term is often shortened in clinical discussion to catatonic schizophrenia.
- In modern diagnostic manuals (like the DSM-5), the distinct subtypes of schizophrenia, including catatonic type, have been de-emphasized. Catatonia is now often specified as an associated feature across various psychiatric conditions.
- Catatonia (n): The core syndrome of motor immobility or excessive, purposeless motor activity, which is the defining feature of this schizophrenia subtype.
- Catatonic (adj): Relating to or suffering from catatonia. (e.g., ).
- Schizophrenia (n): The broader psychotic disorder of which this is a subtype.
- Catatonic schizophrenia (common clinical shorthand)
This term refers specifically to a historical diagnostic category where severe motor symptoms (catatonia) are the most prominent feature of the schizophrenia illness, distinguishing it from other subtypes like paranoid or disorganized schizophrenia.
- a form of schizophrenia characterized by a tendency to remain in a fixed stuporous state for long periods; the catatonia may give way to short periods of extreme excitement