Waxy flexibility

Waxy flexibility is a psychomotor symptom of catatonia characterized by a patient's body parts maintaining the positions they are placed in by another individual. It is often associated with schizophrenia, but can also be a symptom of other conditions such as bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

Symptoms and signs

Waxy flexibility is characterized by a decreased response to stimuli and a tendency to remain in an immobile posture. The limbs of the individual with this condition can be moved into any position and will stay there, as if the person were made of wax. This can occur for extended periods of time, even hours.

Causes

The exact cause of waxy flexibility is unknown, but it is often associated with severe mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia. It can also occur in other conditions such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It is thought to be related to a dysfunction in the brain's basal ganglia and frontal lobes.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of waxy flexibility is primarily based on clinical observation. A healthcare provider may move the individual's limbs to see if they maintain the positions they are placed in. Other symptoms of the underlying condition, such as schizophrenia, may also be assessed.

Treatment

Treatment for waxy flexibility primarily involves addressing the underlying condition. This may involve the use of medications such as antipsychotics for schizophrenia, or mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder. In severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used.

See also

• Catatonia
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Major depressive disorder