A neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by one or more of the following essential features: immobility, mutism, negativism (active or passive refusal to follow commands), mannerisms, stereotypies, posturing, grimacing, excitement, echolalia, echopraxia, muscular rigidity, and stupor; sometimes punctuated by sudden violent outbursts, panic, or hallucinations. This condition may be associated with psychiatric illnesses (e.g., SCHIZOPHRENIA; MOOD DISORDERS) or organic disorders (NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME; ENCEPHALITIS, etc.). (From DSM-IV, 4th ed, 1994; APA, Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, 1994)
Also Known As:
Catatonia, Malignant; Catatonia, Organic; Lethal Catatonia; Organic Catatonic Disorder; Schizophreniform Catatonia; Catatonia, Lethal; Catatonia, Schizophreniform; Catatonias; Catatonias, Lethal; Catatonias, Malignant; Catatonias, Organic; Catatonias, Schizophreniform; Catatonic Disorder, Organic; Catatonic Disorders, Organic; Lethal Catatonias; Malignant Catatonia; Malignant Catatonias; Organic Catatonia; Organic Catatonias; Organic Catatonic Disorders; Schizophreniform Catatonias