Catatonia Associated with Another Mental Disorder (Catatonia Specifier)

This is a new classification in the DSM-5. It does not recognize Catatonia as a separate disorder, but instead as a specifier that can go along with another mental health condition. This might include neurodevelopmental (brain) disorders, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, or psychotic disorders.

The diagnosis is made when 3 or more of the following are present:

• Stupor - no body movements and not actively responding to the world around them
• Catalepsy - taking a body position and holding it against gravity
• Waxy Flexibility - resisting being moved or put in a position by another person
• Mutism - no or very little talking
• Negativism - ignoring or having no response to instructions or the world around them
• Posturing - spontaneous taking and holding a position that goes against gravity
• Mannerism - odd or cartoon-like behaviors or actions
• Stereotypy - repetitive, very frequent movements that are not directed toward achieving a particular goal
• Agitation - that does not happen because of anything around them
• Grimacing - making faces
• Echolalia - mimicking what another person is saying or how they are saying it
• Echopraxia - mimicking another person's movements