Catalepsy

Catalepsy is a condition marked by prolonged muscular rigidity, reduced responsiveness, and maintenance of imposed or unusual postures. It can occur in neurological and psychiatric disorders or be induced by drugs.

Waxy flexibility: A form of muscular resistance in which a limb remains in a position imposed by another person. This distinctive sign can accompany catalepsy, especially in catatonia.
Bush–Francis Catatonia Rating Scale: A clinical scale used to screen for and measure catatonia and changes in its severity. Its examination includes signs such as posturing and waxy flexibility.
Jean-Martin Charcot: A French neurologist who advanced clinical neurology and studied hysteria and hypnosis at the Salpêtrière hospital. His demonstrations treated cataleptic postures as observable signs in studies of hysteria.
Stupor: A state of greatly reduced responsiveness in which a person can be roused only with strong stimulation. Reduced responsiveness overlaps, but stupor does not require maintained imposed postures.
Catatonia: A syndrome of altered movement, speech, and responsiveness that occurs in psychiatric and medical conditions. Catalepsy is one possible motor sign within this broader syndrome.
Lorazepam challenge test: A clinical assessment in which lorazepam is given to evaluate suspected catatonia through symptom change. Rapid improvement can support a catatonia diagnosis when cataleptic signs are present.
Hippolyte Bernheim: A French physician associated with the Nancy school, which emphasized suggestion in hypnosis. His account of suggestion challenged Charcot’s view of hypnotic catalepsy.
Coma: A prolonged state of unconsciousness in which a person cannot be awakened and lacks purposeful responses. Catalepsy may preserve some awareness and postural responses, unlike coma.
Basal ganglia: A group of interconnected brain nuclei involved in movement, learning, and action selection. Disorders affecting these circuits can produce rigidity and abnormal postures.
Electroconvulsive therapy: A medical treatment that uses brief electrical stimulation under anesthesia to induce a controlled seizure. It is an established treatment option for severe or persistent catatonia.

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TaphophobiaRelated: Historical descriptions of catalepsy helped make mistaken death declarations seem plausible.