Catatonia

Disease class: Neurobehavioral manifestations

Definition

A condition in which an individual takes up odd postures, often accompanied by muteness or semi-coma. The arms and legs may be moved passively by someone else into positions that the sufferer then holds for many hours. Catatonia occurs in schizophrenia. It may also be associated with organic brain disease such as encephalitis lethargica, tumours and carbon monoxide intoxication.

Source: Black's Medical Dictionary (42nd ed, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-0419-4)