Catatonic Schizophrenia

Catatonic

Schizophrenia

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Results

Research

Scientists are studying brain chemistry to try and determine causes of this disease. Our knowledge of the relationship between the brain and the disease is growing rapidly. Specifically, it is likely that schizophrenia is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain possibly dealing with the neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate.

Recent research also suggests that schizophrenia may be prevented by certain precautions taken during pregnancy, as well as by early childhood, adolescent and adult environments.

What is it?

Symptoms

Statistics

immobility, stupor or excessive motor activity

Causes

Schizophrenia is a disease that affects approximately 1% of the population of the world. In America, it affects 2 million people. Schizophrenia occurs in men and women and across all races. However, it occurs more frequently in men than in women. Children having a schizophrenic disorder are rare, it generally occurs after adolescence.

There is no specific known cause, but studies suggest that genetics and social environment may both play a role.

Other Symptoms...

• Delusions
• Hallucinations, especially voices
• Incoherent speech
• Neglect of personal hygiene
• Apparent lack of emotions
• Emotions inappropriate to the situation
• Angry outbursts
• Trouble functioning at school or work
• Social isolation
• Clumsy, uncoordinated movements

Catatonic episodes are likely to last at least a day and may last for longer than 30 days without effective treatment.

Type of Schizophrenia in which the clinical picture is dominated by at last 2 of the following:

• Motor immobility as evidenced by a catalepsy or stupor.
• Excessive motor activity. (Apparently purposeless and influnced by external stimuli)
• Extreme negatism (Apparently motiveless resistance to all instructions or maintanece of a rigid posture against attempts to be moved) or mutism.
• Perculiarities of voluntary movement as evidenced by posturing (Voluntary assumption of inappropriate or bizzare postures) sterotyped movements, prominent mannerisms, or promienent grimacing.
• Echolalia or echopraxia.

Assets

(cc) photo by Metro Centric on Flickr

Treatment

Treatment Team

Schizophrenia treatment is usually guided by a psychiatrist. But you may have others on your treatment team because the condition can affect many areas of your life. Your treatment team can help make sure that you're getting all of the treatment you need.

The team may include your:

• Family or primary care doctor
• Psychiatrist
• Psychotherapist
• Pharmacist
• Family members
• Case worker
• Psychiatric nurse
• Social worker

Main Treatment Options

• Medications
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Hospitalization
• Psychotherapy
• Vocational skills training

Medications

(cc) photo by Franco Folini on Flickr

Medications, together with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), are key for treatment. Medications most commonly prescribed include:

Benzodiazepines. Also called anti-anxiety medications, are sedatives. They are generally the medication of choice. May be injected in a vein especially if you're in a state of catatonia and are typically fast acting, helping relieve catatonic symptoms quickly. They may cause dependency with long-term use. These medications may also help anxiety along with catatonic schizophrenia. May need to take benzodiazepines for a period of days or weeks to relieve symptoms.

Other medications. It's common to have other mental health issues along with catatonic schizophrenia. Antidepressants can be helpful if you have symptoms of depression. And mood-stabilizing medications may help with aggression or hostility.

Antipsychotic medications are generally the medication of choice for schizophrenia. However, they aren't used as often for the catatonic type of schizophrenia because they can actually worsen catatonic symptoms.

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Outlook

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