PSYCH 046: Catatonia

Clinical Deep Dives · Jun 30, 2026 · 54m · transcript

Catatonia is one of the most striking and often misunderstood syndromes in psychiatry. It is not defined by a single disorder, but by a pattern of motor, behavioural, and physiological abnormalities that reflect a profound disturbance in the regulation of action.

In this episode, we explore how catatonia can present across a spectrum - from marked immobility, mutism, and withdrawal, to states of agitation, stereotypy, and excessive motor activity. These contrasting presentations reflect a common underlying disruption in how the brain initiates and modulates behaviour.

We examine how catatonia…