I seem to be having significant stints of catatonia again (even though they only last a few minutes, it feels confusingly like ages). It had been relaxed for a while where the catatonia was rare or not a significant issue for me.
Mostly, I just freeze and go wide-eyed and stare mindlessly at something, usually a light, as though I’m fixated on it. Often enough it’s just random bouts of staring into bright lights like a moth to a flame. I often also seem to have a lot of purposeless movement and make completely purposeless noises compulsively.
Does anyone know of any ways to relieve or prevent it? I will definitely be bringing it up with my therapist and psychiatrist.
Yeah have a good chat to your shrink. Sounds a bit like dissassociating. I’m no expert but know a person who zones out like that in conversations. It’s a bit different till you get used to it.
I definitely already suffer from dissociation. I just don’t know how to handle feeling like I have suddenly lost control of my body and am just doing things autonomously. I’ve always struggled with feeling like I am not the only one in control of my body. It’s one of my major delusions since I have zero mind-body linkage.
This sounds serious. How long has this recent bout of catatonic behavior been going on? When is your next appointment with your pdoc? Maybe you should call them? I don’t know. I’ve never had catatonia. Is it dangerous, do you think? Especially since you have dissociation with it? I’m worried about you. Please tell your pdoc about this soon.
This recent bit has just been the last few days. I’ve had this off and on since I was young, though. It just usually isn’t so noticeable or debilitating.
Okay, I see. I’m sorry it is having a negative effect on your life this time around. How long does it usually last? If you think you can handle it, that’s good, but if you are feeling like you can’t, I think it will be best to call your pdoc and see what they say. Sorry, I’m not trying to boss you around. I just want you to be healthy so that you can enjoy life. I hope this bout of catatonia is short lived.
During the summer I was catatonic the whole summer 24/7 meaning I would show no emotion and talk very rarely with delayed speech. And yes I would stare for hours at a time, mind blank. The best thing that helped me was a antidepressant called celexa.
You were catatonic for an entire summer and your parents didn’t take you to the hospital? Still, I’m glad the Celexa is helping you. Was it a depression thing, do you think? I know that depression can cause catatonia.
No they didn’t take me to the hospital, they almost did when I attempted suicide. But I’m glad they didn’t, though it’s difficult to explain what’s it like, probably not hospital worthy, and no I was not depressed just schizophrenic.
I had that! Without the noises, just the freezing. But i always labelled it dissociation. It went away by itself, when the stress factor went away. It had to do with fear, trauma and shock for me. Do you know what triggers it?
Ive also been labelled catatonic and mute later, but that was different. I was just so frightened i refused to move or speak. They gave me haldol and a benzo, which worked, because the fear went away.
@Sardonic Less debilitating freezing and twitching today but still that. I’ve noticed I also thrash in my sleep evidently.
@anon73478309, nothing specifically seems to trigger it. It just comes on randomly. It feels different from my typical dissociation, but I could be wrong about that.
