CATATONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA

Read Time:5 Minute, 16 Second

With Catatonic Schizophrenia, a person becomes rigid, unresponsive or asleep to the daily life and doesn’t move or respond or follow the instructions. On the other hand, catatonics also show or demonstrate excessive or motor energy and power to accomplish something. In simple words, it can be explained as extremes of powers and energy required, either too high or too low.

TOP 10 SYMPTOMS OD CATATONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA:

Catatonic Schizophrenia is diagnosed with the presence of at least 3 symptoms from the following.

Blankness: Getting blank or unresponsive with the general environment.

2. Partial Unconscious: Getting half or unresponsive with a loss of sensation and consciousness accompanied by rigidity of the body.

3. Static Postures: In this condition, person becomes too rigid with the movement like if his/ her hand or foot is positioned in one direction, he/ she will maintain this position until it is moved again.

4. Keeping Mute: The person will be limited to any verbal communications and will provide with very limited responses.

5. Erratic Behavior: Odd and exaggerated actions carried out.

6. Repetitive Movements: Making repetitive movements without any useful or apparent reasons.

7. Anxiety: There will be anxiety, nervousness, excitement, worry or tension without any reason.

8. Making Faces: Making faces of frowning, sneering, scowling or pouting without any point.

9. Mimicking or copying another person’s speech.

10. Mimicking or copying another person’s movements.

CAUSES OD CATATONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA:

The causes for Catatonic Schizophrenia or any other sort of Schizophrenia is yet not properly disclosed or declared as it’s all the dysfunctions of the brain which controls the whole body of a human being. Brain can never be accurately diagnosed with if a person is showing with any of the symptoms of any mental disorder or Schizophrenia.

Mainly, it is the imbalance between the various chemicals present in the brain which causes a person to be imbalanced with his life including his speech, movements, thinking, sensations, responsiveness and thus getting diagnosed with Schizophrenia, depending on the frequency of imbalances.

TOP MEDICATION FOR CATATONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA:

Benzodiazepines: This drug acts as a tranquilizers for the Catatonic Patient and is most commonly used drug for Catatonics. It can be provided intravenously by injecting in the veins. The patient may have to take this medication for several days or weeks else there is risk of dependency if used for a long time.
Barbiturates: These drugs suppress the central nervous system so they are referred to as depressants or sedatives. Their effects range from mild sedation to total anesthesia. Barbiturates rapidly relieve the symptoms of catatonia.
Antidepressants and mood-stabilizing drugs: People with catatonic schizophrenia often have other mental health problems, such as depression and stress so they are provided with the required antidepressants and mood-stabilizing drugs, depending on the frequency of the symptoms.
ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy): ECT is used for Catatonic Patients who have not responded to the above mentioned drugs or other treatments. This is a procedure in which an electric current is sent through the brain to produce controlled seizures (convulsions). It can have the side-effect of getting short-term memory loss.
Hospitalization: Depending on the condition of the patient both before and during the treatment, it may be required to hospitalize them as per the severity and frequency of the Schizophrenia episodes. Patients are safer in a hospital setting; they are more likely to get proper nutrition, sleep, and hygiene, as well as the right treatment in the hospitals.
Psychotherapy: For Catatonic Patients, medications are the main part of treatment; however, psychotherapy can be useful, but if symptoms are severe, psychotherapy may also not be appropriate.
Social and vocational Skills Training: A vital part for the recovery of the Schizophrenic patient is to live his life independently without any restrictions or hesitations. This can be done through the various social and vocational skills training programs conducted from time to time. The patients can learn from the therapists about good hygiene, prepare nutritional meals, and have better communication. There may also be support in finding work, housing, and joining self-help groups.
Compliance: Compliance or adherence means taking the timely medical treatment as prescribed by their doctors at the right tine and in the right doses, as most of the Schizophrenics hesitate or don’t take their prescribed medicines in the required time and doses which gives a very unfortunate effect on the patients’ life as well as their family and known people.

COMPLICATIONS OF CATATONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA:

If Catatonic Schizophrenia diagnosed in a person is left untreated then it may cause problems of a health, financial, behavioral, and legal nature – these problems may affect every part of the patient’s life.

Complications can include

Depression, suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior – a significant number of patients with schizophrenia have periods of depression.
Malnutrition due to improper meals and hygiene not taken care of.
Substance abuse – which may include alcohol, prescription medications, and illegal drugs.
Inability to find or maintain employment, resulting in poverty and homelessness.
Prison due to any illegal acts committed unknowingly.
Serious family conflicts.
Inability to study or attend school and other educational institutions.
Being a victim or offender of crime.
Smoking-related diseases.
Numbness /Blood clot

It’s very painful to take care of the patients during treatment of any kind of Schizophrenia. The patients generally don’t accept they have certain symptoms in their behavior. Care taker should be cautious not to inform them anything direct. Caretakers should maintain calmness during the treatment of catatonic Schizophrenia. If the patient is not given enough care, there is high possibility of relapse of the symptoms on a higher rate and frequency.

Although Schizophrenia is a lifelong treatment required disease but the Catatonic symptoms may not persist for long if provided with the correct treatment. The treatment for any kind of Schizophrenia is same and done for lifetime, even when the symptoms starts disappearing and the patients starts feeling better. As it is the imbalance of the chemicals present in the brain, that imbalance cannot be 100% rectified as we cannot compete with the creator of human being in the cases of imbalances in the chemicals of the brain.

The Methods of treatment for Schizophrenia vary depending on a number of factors, including the severity and types of symptoms, the health of the patient, and their age.