Subjectivity and Catatonic Symptoms

Although recognized as a feature of schizophrenia since the time of Kraepelin, motor disorders have received relatively little attention, particularly as regard their phenomenology. This is particularly the case in the English-speaking literature, where 'automaticity', mutism, and autonomic instability, have been emphasized among the features of catatonia at the expense of more complex behaviors and mannerisms. The possible relationship between the content of thinking disorders, such as hallucinations and dereistic thinking, and involuntary and semi-voluntary movement disorders, has been little noted. That such gestures might have "intentionality", or meaning, has not been considered. The case is presented of an adolescent who developed involuntary movements which seemed to have meaning in reference to his interests. The thought content, phenomenology, and brain abnormalities underpinning catatonia merit further study.