Catatonia
Explore what's happening beneath the symptoms of Catatonia and how compassionate, expert-led treatment can help.
If you or someone you care for is living with Catatonia, we're here to help with your concerns.
Talk to a psychiatristIf Catatonia feels hard to manage, find support at the Amaha Mental Health Hospital.
Explore our HospitalWhat Is Catatonia?
Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric condition marked by significant changes in movement, behaviour, and responsiveness. A person may become extremely still, mute, or unable to initiate voluntary actions, or they may show excessive, purposeless movement. Catatonia can occur in the context of mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression, as well as medical or neurological illnesses.
What Are Symptoms of Catatonia?
Symptoms of catatonia vary but generally involve changes in movement, speech, and behaviour.
- •Common signs include immobility, staring, mutism, and holding rigid postures for long periods.
- •Some individuals resist movement or instructions, display repetitive motions, or mimic someone else’s words or actions.
- •Others may show agitation without purpose or sudden bursts of unusual movement. Reduced eating, poor responsiveness, or withdrawal from the environment may also occur.
- •Catatonia can fluctuate, with symptoms appearing suddenly or gradually.
What Are the Types of Catatonia?
Catatonia is classified into 3 main types, each presenting with distinct behavioural patterns:
- 1Retarded (or akinetic) Catatonia: This is the most common type and involves decreased movement, limited speech, and minimal responsiveness. Individuals may remain motionless, maintain rigid postures, or resist attempts at movement. They may also show staring, mutism, and withdrawal. Without treatment, complications like dehydration or immobility-related issues can occur.
- 2Excited (or Hyperkinetic) Catatonia: In this type, individuals exhibit excessive, non-goal-directed movement. They may pace, shout, mimic others, or become agitated and restless. Although movement increases, awareness and purposeful activity remain impaired. This form can be risky due to impulsivity or exhaustion.
- 3Malignant Catatonia: This is a severe, life-threatening form involving symptoms of catatonia along with fever, unstable blood pressure, or rapid heart rate. It requires urgent medical treatment, often in a hospital setting, to prevent complications.
Can Catatonia be cured?
Yes. Catatonia is one of the most treatable neuropsychiatric conditions. With treatment options like benzodiazepines or, in severe cases, ECT, symptoms can resolve. However, treating the underlying cause is essential to prevent recurrence.
How Does Catatonia Occur?
Catatonia arises from disruptions in brain circuits that regulate movement, behaviour, and emotional responses. Research suggests that imbalances in neurotransmitters, especially GABA, dopamine, and glutamate, play a central role. When these chemical pathways are impaired, the brain may struggle to initiate or control movement and speech, leading to symptoms like rigidity, mutism, or agitation. Catatonia can occur alongside psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. It may also be triggered by medical issues, such as infections, neurological disorders, metabolic imbalances, or autoimmune conditions. Certain medications or sudden withdrawal from substances like benzodiazepines can also precipitate catatonia in vulnerable individuals. Stress, trauma, and severe mood disturbances can further disrupt brain regulation, contributing to the onset. In some cases, the exact cause remains unclear. Despite its complexity, catatonia is highly treatable. Benzodiazepines are often effective in rapidly reducing symptoms, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used for severe or resistant cases. Early diagnosis and intervention help ensure safety, prevent complications, and support recovery.
When to Visit a Doctor in Case of Catatonia?
Seek immediate medical help if someone shows sudden immobility, mutism, extreme agitation, or unusual postures that don’t resolve. Catatonia can become serious quickly, and prompt evaluation by a psychiatrist or physician ensures proper diagnosis and treatment.
Understand Catatonia symptoms better with a professional evaluation.
Our psychiatrists can guide you through a detailed psychometric assessment to help you begin with the right care.
How it works?
Book an appointment with Amaha Psychiatrist
Get evaluated if test needed
Get test done
Psychiatrists Specialising In Catatonia
Loading psychiatrists...
Therapists Specialising In Catatonia
Loading therapists...
We're available 24/7 for emergency support
For any admission related queries, reach out to us and we'll call you back within 24 hours.
Need guidance or have an emergency?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can severe anxiety cause catatonia?
Severe anxiety can contribute to catatonia in rare cases, particularly when overwhelming stress triggers a shutdown in movement and responsiveness. However, catatonia is more commonly linked to mood disorders, psychotic disorders, or medical conditions. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for choosing the right treatment and ensuring safety.
What happens when a person is catatonic?
A person in a catatonic state may become extremely still, unresponsive, or mute. They might maintain rigid postures, resist movement, or show repetitive or purposeless actions. Awareness can vary, and communication becomes difficult. Catatonia requires urgent medical attention, as symptoms can escalate and affect physical health if untreated.
How long does a catatonic depression last?
Catatonic depression can last from several hours to weeks or even longer, depending on its severity and the speed of treatment. Prompt intervention with benzodiazepines or other therapies often leads to quick improvement. Delayed treatment, however, may prolong symptoms and complicate recovery, making early recognition essential.
How to get out of catatonic?
Treatment typically begins with benzodiazepines, which often reduce catatonic symptoms rapidly. If symptoms persist, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be recommended. Identifying underlying psychiatric or medical causes is crucial. Supportive care, hydration, nutrition, and a safe environment also help stabilise the person while medical treatment takes effect.
For those in need of more intensive care and daily support, our Mental Health Hospital is now open in Bangalore.
If you or someone you know is experiencing at-risk behaviors or safety concerns, or any other life-threatening extreme-case issues or critical mental health situation, contact a helpline or go to the nearest hospital or extreme-case support room. Having a close family member or friend with you for support can be invaluable during this time.
For extreme-case mental health support, please call the national Tele MANAS helpline at 1-800-891-4416.
If you or someone you know is experiencing at-risk behaviors or safety concerns, or any other life-threatening extreme-case issues or critical mental health situation, contact a helpline or go to the nearest hospital or extreme-case support room. Having a close family member or friend with you for support can be invaluable during this time.
For extreme-case mental health support, please call the national Tele MANAS helpline at 1-800-891-4416.