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Patient observed posturing and staying in the same position for extended periods of time, flat affect, echolalia, waxy flexibility. What is the term for this condition?

1) Schizophrenia
2) Depression
3) Catatonia
4) Anxiety

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The condition with symptoms of posturing, extended periods of maintaining the same position, flat affect, echolalia, and waxy flexibility is catatonia. This condition is often found in individuals with schizophrenia, but catatonia has its own clinical recognition and can occur in various psychiatric illnesses.

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition described, characterized by posturing, staying in the same position for extended periods of time, flat affect, echolalia, and waxy flexibility, is known as catatonia. This state is often associated with psychiatric conditions, notably schizophrenia, but can also be seen in mood disorders, such as major depression, and other mental health conditions. However, within the clinical presentation given, which includes specific motoric and behavioral abnormalities, catatonia is the most fitting term for the condition.

Schizophrenia is indeed associated with a range of symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, and impaired thinking or social functioning. The negative symptoms such as flat affect are also characteristic of schizophrenia; however, the acute motoric disturbances described in the question would typically lead to a diagnosis of catatonia, which can occur within the context of schizophrenia but is a distinct clinical phenomenon.

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