Purposeless, excessive motor activity, no obvious cause is characteristic of which catatonic feature?

Purposeless, excessive motor activity, no obvious cause is characteristic of which catatonic feature?

• A. Mutism
• B. Stupor
• C. Catatonic excitement
• D. Negative Symptoms

Answer: (C)

Purposeless, excessive motor activity with no obvious cause is the hyperactive end of catatonia known as catatonic excitement. In catatonia, behavior can swing between immobility with little or no response (stupor) and intense, aimless movement (excitement). Catatonic excitement often includes frantic pacing, rapid, purposeless actions, grimacing, and loud or repetitive movements, driven by internal factors rather than external goals. This contrasts with mutism, where speech is absent or minimal; stupor, where movement and responsiveness are greatly reduced; and negative symptoms, which are deficits in normal functioning (like diminished motivation or social withdrawal) rather than active motor agitation.

Purposeless, excessive motor activity with no obvious cause is the hyperactive end of catatonia known as catatonic excitement. In catatonia, behavior can swing between immobility with little or no response (stupor) and intense, aimless movement (excitement). Catatonic excitement often includes frantic pacing, rapid, purposeless actions, grimacing, and loud or repetitive movements, driven by internal factors rather than external goals. This contrasts with mutism, where speech is absent or minimal; stupor, where movement and responsiveness are greatly reduced; and negative symptoms, which are deficits in normal functioning (like diminished motivation or social withdrawal) rather than active motor agitation.