rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycatatoniaDisrupted movement and responsiveness
noun

catatonia

kat-uh-TOH-nee-uh/ˌkætəˈtəʊniə/

A condition that severely disrupts movement and responsiveness.

The clinical report describes catatonia affecting the patient's movement and responsiveness.

A compact two-panel clinical sequence shows an awake patient retaining an unusual arm posture after the clinician withdraws support, then remaining fixed and disengaged while the clinician attempts face-to-face engagement.
Etymology
cataGreekdown
+tonGreektone
+iaGreekabstract noun ending

The “tone” element points to the movement-related side of this condition. The medical sense includes immobility as well as abnormal movement and behavior.

In context

MedCore Academy2:51
You've confirmed the diagnosis of catatonia and you've actually started the treatment.
When Catatonia Looks Like Depression | The Missed Diagnosis

More examples

  • The assessment records several signs of catatonia.
  • Her catatonia involves periods of unusual stillness.
  • The medical course examines different presentations of catatonia.

Similar words

catalepsy
Specifically emphasizes rigid posture and reduced responsiveness.
stupor
A state of greatly reduced responsiveness without all catatonic features.