Stupor

Stupor ( Latin for " solidification ", in the strict medical importance since the late 14th century ) is a state of rigidity of the whole body in alert consciousness, where movements are not executed or only very slowly. Food and liquids shall not be included or at best under intensive nursing assistance. There are no physical or mental activities recognizable, although the affected person perceives and processes environmental stimuli. Despite wakefulness he does not respond to communication attempts ( mutism ); he looks stiff and expressionless at extreme inner tension. There are often rigors, fever and autonomic symptoms.

A stupor is usually a symptom of a severe mental disease or caused by side effects of medication. Cause of stupor may be a schizophrenic psychosis, particularly the catatonic schizophrenia. A particularly severe and acute life-threatening form of catatonic schizophrenia is the so-called pernicious catatonia. Here there is a stupor (or even a violent state of excitement, with rapid and untargeted movements ) and an increase in body temperature and electrolyte shifts and circulatory complications.

Severe depression can lead to a depressive stupor. In depressive stupor strongly slowed reactions may be present.

A psychogenic stupor produced ( " paralyzed with fear ", so to speak ) due to a severe emotional reaction, often to extreme events.

In addition, there are stuporous or stuporähnliche conditions due organic mental disorders or as side effects of medications, such as when taking valproic acid.

Stuporous conditions also occur in the course of infectious diseases of the central nervous system such as rabies and tetanus.