Side-by-side review

Compare two specifiers

Find the deciding clinical difference.

Ask this

Is the central pattern “a clustered psychomotor syndrome” or “non-reactive, biologically patterned depression”?

Catatonia

A marked psychomotor syndrome is present and needs structured, time-sensitive assessment.

Episode features

Melancholic features

Profound loss of pleasure or mood reactivity occurs with a characteristic biological and psychomotor pattern.

Episode features

Clinical focus

AA clustered psychomotor syndrome

BNon-reactive, biologically patterned depression

Time course

AAcute or subacute change requiring close observation

BPersists across the depressive episode

Look for

AImmobility, posturing, negativism, echophenomena, stereotypy, agitation without purpose

BAnhedonia, non-reactivity, diurnal change, psychomotor change, guilt

Do not overcall from

ADo not equate quietness, mutism, or immobility alone with catatonia

BSeverity alone does not establish melancholic features

Example wording

Bipolar I disorder, current episode depressed, with catatonia

Open full guide

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, current episode, with melancholic features

Open full guide

Browse the map Build diagnostic wording

Side-by-side review

Compare two specifiers

Find the deciding clinical difference.

Ask this

Is the central pattern “a clustered psychomotor syndrome” or “non-reactive, biologically patterned depression”?

Catatonia

A marked psychomotor syndrome is present and needs structured, time-sensitive assessment.

Episode features

Melancholic features

Profound loss of pleasure or mood reactivity occurs with a characteristic biological and psychomotor pattern.

Episode features

Clinical focus

AA clustered psychomotor syndrome

BNon-reactive, biologically patterned depression

Time course

AAcute or subacute change requiring close observation

BPersists across the depressive episode

Look for

AImmobility, posturing, negativism, echophenomena, stereotypy, agitation without purpose

BAnhedonia, non-reactivity, diurnal change, psychomotor change, guilt

Do not overcall from

ADo not equate quietness, mutism, or immobility alone with catatonia

BSeverity alone does not establish melancholic features

Example wording

Bipolar I disorder, current episode depressed, with catatonia

Open full guide

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, current episode, with melancholic features

Open full guide

Browse the map Build diagnostic wording