Catatonia refers to patterns of disorganized motor behavior that often occur in which mental disorder?

• A. Schizophrenia
• B. Major depressive disorder
• C. Generalized anxiety disorder
• D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Answer: (A)

Catatonia is a cluster of psychomotor abnormalities—stupor or marked agitation, mutism, negativism, waxy flexibility, posturing, echolalia, and echopraxia—that reflect disorganized motor behavior. These motor features are most characteristic of schizophrenia and are often seen in its catatonic presentations within the schizophrenia spectrum. While severe mood disorders can rarely show catatonic features, the prominent motor pattern described points to schizophrenia rather than the other disorders listed. The remaining conditions focus on anxiety, ritualized behaviors, or mood symptoms rather than a distinct catatonic motor syndrome.