Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T13:31:41.038Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Clinical Significance of Katatonic Symptoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2018

Henry Devine*
Affiliation:
West Riding Asylum, Wakefield

Extract

Under the heading of “katatonia” are included certain peculiar states of stupor and excitement, which tend to alternate irregularly with one another. Thestuporose phase is characterised by increased muscular tension, or in some instances catalepsy, together with negativism, mutism, refusal of food, contrary acts, or not infrequently an increased suggestibility, as shown by echolalia or echopraxia. The prominent features of katatonic excitement are increased psycho-motor activity, attitudinizing, stereotyped movements and phrases, verbigeration, and senseless impulses. Various forms of convulsive attacks are motor phenomena which frequently occur during the course of the psychosis.

Type
Part I.—Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1914 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.