Catatonic schizophrenia is a mental illness that causes patients to have an altered and skewed perception of reality, also known as psychosis. It is a type of schizophrenia that involves a paralysis of the the limbs and an inability to speak or communicate. Alternatively, a sort of hyperactive series of behaviors can also manifest during a catatonic episode.
Symptoms
During a catatonic episode, symptoms may vary. There can be extreme differences in behavior during the course of a single episode. Being completely still, almost paralyzed in effect, silent and unresponsive is one classic symptom. Manic physical activity seemingly without rhyme or reason is another; this is very different from a manic episode in other forms of mental illness during which a person may clean the entire house in an hour. Instead, this type of catatonic behavior is sort of aimless; arms flapping, speaking incoherently, running in circles. Holding a strange or somewhat delusional set of beliefs is another symptom as well as experiencing hallucinations, ignoring people and having difficulty in social situations, neglecting personal hygiene and showing either a lack of emotions or inappropriate emotional reactions to people and situations.
Misconceptions
Often people refer to a sort of "Jekyl and Hyde" split personality in describing catatonic schizophrenia, but this isn't an accurate characterization of the condition. While the term "split mind" has been used to reference the term, it isn't split in half, per se, but split, as in splintered off from reality. Persistent ideas about reality that do not match everyone else's perceptions are a hallmark of this splitting off from reality, as are misinterpretations of social cues and social dynamics, a reduced ability to synthesize information and difficulty expressing oneself verbally.
Prevention/Solution
While there is no prevention for catatonic schizophrenia, many medications today can greatly reduce or minimize symptoms. Each person and each case is different, of course, but today's treatments can benefit those suffering from catatonic schizophrenia in ways only dreamed about just a few decades ago.
Causes
The causes of catatonic schizophrenia are still unknown. Some believe there is a genetic predisposition toward this type of mental illness, while others believe it is simply a chemical imbalance in the brain. Ongoing research suggests it is related to the frontal cortex, the basal ganglia and the limbic system.
Effects
The effects of catatonic schizophrenia can be mild or devastating to a person's life, depending on the severity of the condition. In many cases, the disorder affects social, intellectual, physical and emotional perceptions and behaviors of individuals afflicted with it. By seeking treatment as soon as symptoms become persistent or when functioning in daily life is compromised, the chances of reducing, or in some cases, even eliminating the effects of catatonic schizophrenia improve greatly.
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