Catatonia is a psychomotor disturbance characterized by either motor immobility or excessive motor activity that is associated with mental disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Motor immobility can involve catalepsy, waxy flexibility, stupor, rigid body posture, and inability to move in response to stimuli, while excessive motor activity can include echolalia, echopraxia, stereotypy, agitation, and negativism. The diagnostic criteria for catatonia are outlined in the DSM-5.

1. Catatonia
Diagnostic criteria for catatonic behavior
A psychomotor disturbance ranging from motor immobility to excessive motor activity and usually
associated with several mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and major depressive disorders.
Motor immobility
Catalepsy Waxy flexibility Stupor
Rigid
body
posture
The body
remains in
whatever the
position it is
placed in and
resist
positioning by
the examiner
Inability to
move in
response to
stimuli
(complete
lack of motor
response)
Decreased reactivity to environment
(decreased engagement during
physical examination)
MutismNegativism
No verbal
response
No response
to instructions
or opposition
Excessive motor activity
(Catatonic excitement)
EchopraxiaEcholalia
StereotypyAgitation
Copying the
speech of
someone else
Repetitive
movements
for no reason
Copying the
movement of
someone else
DSM-5, 2013