What Are the Symptoms of Catatonic Schizophrenia?

Catatonic schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder in which a patient experiences physical symptoms of catatonia in addition to psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia. The physical symptoms of catatonic schizophrenia include either too little or too much movement, resistance to being moved, and repetitive behaviors. On the psychological side, someone who suffers from catatonic schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, paranoia, inappropriate emotions, and other classic signs of schizophrenia.

Immobility, or lack of movement, is the symptom most often associated with catatonia. Patients may remain in a contorted position for long periods of time, not seeming to take notice of physical discomfort or of their surroundings in general. If someone attempts to move the patient, he or she may exert force to resist being moved. Alternatively, the patient may exhibit what is known as "waxy flexibility" — if moved, the patient will maintain the position he or she is placed in for several hours.

In contrast, the symptoms of catatonic schizophrenia may look very different as the patient may become overly mobile. He or she may move frantically in ways that seem purposeless, like pacing, rocking or turning in circles. The patient may become obsessed with these movements to the point of neglecting his or her basic needs, such as eating, by refusing to stop the pattern of movements.

The sufferer may also mimic the gestures or words of another person. Repeated gestures are known as echopraxia, while repeated words or sounds are known as echolalia. Unlike the repetitive behaviors associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), these behaviors cannot typically be traced back to a particular psychological cause.

These symptoms of catatonia may also be found in other psychiatric disorders, but in order for a patient to be diagnosed with catatonic schizophrenia, he or she must also exhibit signs of schizophrenia. The most common of these is hallucination, in which the patient hears voices that are not there and has difficulty distinguishing reality from illusion. Also among the symptoms of catatonic schizophrenia is paranoia — the sufferer's extreme, irrational fear that people are conspiring against him or her. A person with schizophrenia may also exhibit strong emotions that are not appropriate to the situation, often as a result of delusional beliefs. The patient may also show signs of hostility, cognitive disorder, and lack of interest in his or her environment.

In the 21st century, catatonic schizophrenia is relatively rare due to improved treatment of schizophrenia in general. Symptoms of catatonic schizophrenia may last several days or even weeks if the patient does not receive help. People who suffer from catatonic schizophrenia may need assistance in acquiring treatment.