Catatonic Schizophrenia - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Schizophrenia that is characterized by marked psychomotor active. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder. This type is characterized by prominent disorganized behavior and speech, and flat or inappropriate emotion and affect. People with catatonic schizophrenia display extreme inactivity or activity that's disconnected from their environment or encounters with other people (catatonic behavior). These episodes can last for only minutes or up to hours. Men with catatonic schizophrenia usually experience their initial catatonic episode in their teens or 20s, while women usually experience first episodes in their 20s or early 30s. Early signs and symptoms of schizophrenia , such as social withdrawal, unusual behaviors, anxiety and decline in daily functional abilities may begin gradually before the primary symptoms of schizophrenia, known collectively as psychosis, are manifested. But disease onset may also be acute with the sudden appearance of psychosis. Schizophrenia varies in severity from person to person. Some people have only one psychotic episode while others have many episodes during a lifetime but lead relatively normal lives between episodes. Schizophrenia symptoms seem to worsen and improve in cycles known as relapses and remissions. Catatonic schizophrenia is characterized by auditory and visual hallucinations and most typically the presence of bizarre motor activity. Immobility, bizarre postures, excessive purposeless movements and mutism characterize the disease. Peculiar movements. People may assume inappropriate or unusual postures, grimace for long periods or adopt unusual mannerisms. They may also exhibit habits known as stereotyped behaviors, such as repeating words, obsessively following a routine or always arranging objects exactly the same way.

Schizophrenia results from problems with early brain development. The way brain cells communicate with each other through nerve pathways. Complete lack of expressed emotion is sometimes seen, as is an apparent indifference, anhedonia (the lack of pleasure ), and avolition (a lack of motivation). Too many or too few connections in the important pathways of emotional regulation may lead to psychotic symptoms. More specifically, certain areas of the brain that are rich in the chemical dopamine seem to be affected most often in schizophrenia. The contributing factors associated with the development of these brain-pathway problems are controversial and are being carefully investigated. Some of the areas of current research include risk-associated genes, exposure to certain viruses or malnutrition in the womb, and stressful childhood environments in genetically susceptible children. People with catatonic schizophrenia may also need services, supervision or specialized care particularly when response to treatment isn't optimal. The goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia and to decrease the chances of a relapse, or return of symptoms. Treatmet including is medications used to treat schizophrenia are called antipsychotics. These medicines do not cure schizophrenia but help relieve the most troubling symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations and thinking problems. Older medications used include is thorazine, prolixin, haldol, navane, stelazine, trilafon and mellaril. Electroconvlusive therapy (ECT ) is a procedure in which electrodes are attached to the person's head and a series of electric shocks are delivered to the brain.

Causes of Catatonic Schizophrenia

Common Causes and Risk factors of Catatonic Schizophrenia

• Psychological problems.
• Biological ( Early brain development.).
• Brain abnormality.
• Environmental factors.

Signs and Symptoms of Catatonic Schizophrenia

Common Sign and Symptoms of Catatonic Schizophrenia

• Social withdrawa.
• Unusual behaviors.
• Anxiety.
• Decline in daily functional abilities.
• Loss of interest or volition.
• Persecutory thoughts.
• Poor hygiene.

Treatment for Catatonic Schizophrenia

Common Treatment for Catatonic Schizophrenia

• Treatment is most effective when it is implemented early on in the development of the disorder. Medications used to treat schizophrenia are called antipsychotics. These medicines do not cure schizophrenia but help relieve the most troubling symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations and thinking problems. Older medications used include: Thorazine, Prolixin, Haldol, Navane, Stelazine, Trilafon and Mellaril.
• Rehabilitation, which focuses on social skills and job training to help people with schizophrenia function in the community and live as independently as possible.
• Individual psychotherapy, which can help the person better understand his or her illness, and learn coping and problem-solving skills.
• Family therapy, , which can help families deal more effectively with a loved one who has schizophrenia, enabling them to better help their loved one.
• Group therapy/support groups, which can provide continuing mutual support.
• Electroconvlusive therapy (ECT) is a procedure in which electrodes are attached to the person's head and a series of electric shocks are delivered to the brain. The shocks induce seizures, causing the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. This form of treatment is rarely used today in the treatment of schizophrenia.
• Psychosurgery: Lobotomy, an operation used to sever certain nerve pathways in the brain, was formerly used in some patients with severe, chronic schizophrenia.