Frozen in time: the struggles of catatonic depression. So, I have the experience of depression, but not from catatonia. What it must feel like to be catatonic…disoriented, not being able to move.

Not knowing where you’re at, your surroundings. Not be able to ask someone what is happening to you.

Just motionless for the longest time. Furthermore, once you come out of it, how do you process something like that?

It would be scaring me to death if there was a possibility of it happening again (kind of like a panic attack).

Catatonic depression is a type of depression that can cause a person to appear dazed or not speak for a long time.

People with catatonic depression may also be unresponsive to their surroundings, and may appear silent and motionless.

Catatonic Depression is Characterized By

Generally, catatonic depression is a mood disorder that involves the co-occurrence of catatonia and major depressive disorder (MDD). It’s characterized by a combination of depressive symptoms and at least three psychomotor symptoms of catatonia.

Depressive Symptoms

Such as, low mood, feelings of hopelessness, poor concentration, changes in sleep, withdrawal or isolation, lack of interest in activities, and thoughts of suicide or death

Catatonic Symptoms

Immobility, mutism, stupor, negativism, posturing, rigidity, repetitive or purposeless movements, waxy flexibility, echolalia, echopraxia, and agitation not influenced by external stimuli 

Catatonic Depression Causes

Frozen in time: the struggles of catatonic depression. The exact cause of catatonic depression, which occurs when a person with depression also experiences catatonia, is unclear. However, there are several possible explanations, including:

Mental Health Conditions

Henceforth, catatonia is most common in people with mood disorders or psychotic disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. 

Other psychiatric conditions that may be involved include obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Physical Conditions

Catatonia can also be caused by physical conditions that affect the body’s chemistry, such as kidney problems, diabetes, and thyroid conditions. 

Other physical conditions that may be involved include brain injury, infections, drug and alcohol use, and metabolic disorders.

Genetic Causes

Catatonia may also be caused by genetic causes passed from generation to generation.

Traumatic Events

Traumatic events may also play a part in causing catatonic depression, such as any type of accident.

Catatonic Depression Symptoms

Frozen in time: the struggles of catatonic depression. Notwithstanding, catatonic depression can include symptoms of catatonia and depression:

• Catatonia symptoms include:
  • Stupor: In brief, being awake but not responding to what’s happening
  • Stereotypy: Repetitive movements that don’t seem to have a purpose, like finger-play or rubbing one’s body
  • Waxy flexibility: Additionally, putting up some resistance to being moved, then slowly releasing and bending like a warm candle
  • Grimacing: Holding the same facial expression, often with stiff or tense facial muscles
  • Mannerisms: In addition, acting out normal motions in an unusual and exaggerated way
  • Negativism: Adopting behaviors that are the opposite of their emotions
  • Posturing: Adopting a rigid or unnatural posture for extended periods
  • Irregular speech or movement patterns: Lastly, lack of speech, unusual behavior, or echolalia
• Also, depression symptoms include:
  • Feeling low or sad
  • A sense of hopelessness
  • Changes in appetite, sleep levels, concentration, and movement 

Catatonia is a condition that can involve unusual behaviors, such as lack of movement, strange movements, and lack of speech. 

It can be treated with medication or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Consequently, I had several rounds of ECT for my depression and it wiped out most of my memory around that timeand somewhat before.

Catatonic Depression Treatment

Benzodiazepines are the primary medication used to treat catatonia because they are safe and effective. 

Lorazepam is the preferred medication, but other benzodiazepines that can be effective include clonazepam, diazepam, and zolpidem. 

Healthcare providers can administer these medications as an injection, infusion, or pill, depending on the medication. 

Therefore, between 60% and 90% of people with catatonia will improve if treated with benzodiazepines. 

However, benzodiazepines can be addictive and lead to physical dependence and withdrawal if stopped suddenly. 

Taking benzodiazepines with opioid drugs can also increase the risk of severe sleepiness, respiratory depression, coma, and even death. 

What is Stupor Depression?

Frozen in time: the struggles of catatonic depression. Nonetheless, stupor is a state of mutism and akinesis that occur in severe depression, often as a symptom of catatonic depression.

People in a stuporous state may appear to be conscious, but they have impaired reactions to external stimuli and don’t respond to their environment. 

They may be rigid, motionless, and mute, or they may appear sleepy if not stimulated. 

Otherwise, in some cases, intense stimulation, like bright lights, loud noises, or pain, can briefly increase their responsiveness. 

How Long Does a Catatonic Depression Last?

Catatonic depression episodes can last from a few hours to years, but the length of time varies from person to person. 

In most cases, catatonic depression episodes are considered “acute” and only last a few days or weeks. 

However, some episodes can become chronic and last for months or even years. Episodes are more likely to last longer and relapse is more likely if left untreated. 

Can you even believe an episode can last for years. Some of them describe having anxiety during these episodes. Can you imagine having constant anxiety for years.

Given that, I can’t even deal with it for a few minutes. And they do everything to try to bring them out of it.

Can Catatonia Be Caused by Anxiety?

Frozen in time: the struggles of catatonic depression. Yes, extreme anxiety can be a contributing factor to catatonia, a systemic disease that can also be a symptom of depression. 

Hence, some say that catatonia can be a survival mechanism triggered by intense negative emotions like fear and anxiety in response to perceived danger. 

For example, an evolutionary theory suggests that catatonia may be an exaggerated primal fear response that prehistoric ancestors developed to avoid detection by predators.

What do People Think During Catatonia?

When a person can hardly move or speak, it’s easy to assume that they aren’t conscious either.

Research in recent years has shown that this isn’t the case. In fact, if anything, it’s the opposite.

Moreover, people with catatonia often express intense anxiety and say they feel overwhelmed with feelings.

It’s not that people with catatonia have no thoughts – it might be that they have too many.

By looking at the case notes of hundreds of patients who had experienced catatonia, we found that a few had spoken about what had happened, either at the time or later on.

Although, many weren’t aware of or didn’t remember what was happening.

Some described experiencing overwhelming fear. Some were aware of the pain of staying rigid for so long, but, nonetheless, seemed unable to move.

What we found most interesting, though, were those people who had – on one level – a rational explanation for the catatonia. One patient’s notes read:

I met him kneeling on the floor with his forehead on the floor. He said he had adopted the position to save his life and kept asking to be seen by a neck doctor … He kept talking about his head falling off his neck.

Therefore, if you actually believed that your head was at imminent risk of falling off, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to hold it in place on the floor.

Still, for others, it was voices (hallucinations) that were instructing them to do certain things.

One person was being told that his head would explode if he moved – a fairly compelling reason to stay still. Another thought God was telling him not to eat or drink.

How is Catatonic Depression Diagnosed?

Frozen in time: the struggles of catatonic depression. Specifically, to diagnose catatonia, a doctor may use a combination of lab, diagnostic, and imaging tests, as well as observation and a review of the patient’s history.

History

Subsequently, the doctor may speak with the patient or their caregiver to learn about their history.

Observation

The doctor may observe the patient’s behavior during an appointment or while in the hospital.

Examination

In sum, the doctor may perform an examination to ensure the patient’s body is functioning properly.

Lab Tests

These may include blood tests, urine tests, and cerebrospinal fluid tests to check for chemical changes, infections, and other factors.

Imaging Tests

In particular, these may include computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or other imaging tests.

Brain Activity Tests

In essence, these may include an electroencephalogram (EEG) to monitor electrical activity in the brain and rule out epilepsy or seizures. 

Consequently, a doctor may diagnose catatonia if the patient has at least three of the following symptoms:

Agitation, Catalepsy, Echolalia, Echopraxia, Grimacing, Mutism, Negativism, Posturing, and Stupor.

Complications of Living With Catatonic Depression

Frozen in time: the struggles of catatonic depression. Catatonia can lead to a number of complications if left untreated, including:

• Dehydration and malnutrition: Firstly, people with catatonia may be unable to eat or drink, which can lead to dehydration and malnutrition.
• Pneumonia: Lack of movement can lead to pneumonia.
• Blood clots: Additionally, catatonia can increase the risk of blood clots, which can lead to strokes or pulmonary embolisms.
• Pressure ulcers: Untreated catatonia can lead to pressure ulcers.
• Infections: Untreated catatonia can lead to infections.
• Behavior: Lastly, people with catatonia may engage in violent or impulsive behavior that could harm themselves or others. 

Other complications associated with catatonia include:

• Firstly, autonomic instability
• Muscle contractions
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Lastly, contractures, or shortening of muscles or tendons 

People with severe catatonia may need care from trained medical professionals. 

Caring for Someone With Catatonia and Depression

Frozen in time: the struggles of catatonic depression. Caring for someone with catatonia and depression can involve helping with daily tasks, making sure they take their medication, and going to medical appointments.

You can also help create a plan with them and their care team for what to do if symptoms worsen. 

Subsequently, if you suspect your loved one is in a catatonic state, you should contact your primary care physician or seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible. 

Catatonia is serious and may need inpatient psychiatric care to treat. Prompt intervention may be needed to prevent collapse from exhaustion. 

Here are some other things you can do to help:

• Observe for symptoms: Undoubtedly, each day, indirectly observe the patient for other symptoms of catatonia, including their activity level, abnormal movements and speech, rigidity, and more.
• Check vital signs: Check oral intakes, vital signs, and any instances of agitation.
• Contact a crisis hotline: In any event, crisis care can connect people to available services to quickly and effectively address symptoms. In the United States, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. 

Sum It All Up

Frozen in time: the struggles of catatonic depression is enduring. Catatonic depression episodes can last for weeks, months, or even years. 

Can you imagine it lasting for years? Therefore, years of your life just gone in a second.

It’s almost like being in a coma, only you’re awake. I have schizophrenia, but have never experienced a catatonic state.

I’m trying to understand in this situation what it must feel like not being able to respond to stimuli around you.

Or just not understanding what’s going on. I have a hard enough time doing that without being in a catatonic state of mind.

In truth, I would be open to if you know if you or anyone you know who is going through this to relay a comment to me. I’m very interested in this. Until next time…

Articles About Catatonic Depression

-What Is Catatonic Depression?

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-catatonic-depression-1066546

-All About Catatonic Depression

https://psychcentral.com/depression/signs-of-major-depression-subtypes-catatonic-features

-What Is Catatonia?

https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/catatonic-depression

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions

“That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end.” ― Elizabeth Wurtzel, “Prozac Nation”

“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” ― Laurell K. Hamilton, “Mistral’s Kiss”

“Depression is like a bruise that never goes away. A bruise in your mind. You just got to be careful not to touch it where it hurts. It’s always there, though.” ― Jeffrey Eugenides, “The Marriage Plot”

“Behind every sweet smile, there is a bitter sadness that no one can ever see and feel.” — Tupac Shakur

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