Which specifier is applied when there is marked psychomotor disturbance suggestive of catatonia?

Which specifier is applied when there is marked psychomotor disturbance suggestive of catatonia?

• A. With Catatonia Specifier
• B. With Mood Disorder Specifier
• C. With Delirium Specifier
• D. With Visual Hallucination Specifier

Answer: (A)

Catatonia is identified by marked psychomotor disturbance, such as stupor, motor rigidity, posturing, waxy flexibility, mutism, negativism, and behaviors like echolalia or echopraxia. When these catatonic features occur alongside another mental disorder, the appropriate DSM-5/DSM-5-TR descriptor is the “with catatonia” specifier. This flag signals that catatonic symptoms are present and informs treatment choices (benzodiazepines like lorazepam, or electroconvulsive therapy) and prognosis, regardless of whether the underlying condition is mood, psychotic, or another disorder. The other options don’t fit because they point to delirium (fluctuating consciousness), mood-only features, or perceptual hallucinations, none of which specifically capture the catatonic motor syndrome.

Catatonia is identified by marked psychomotor disturbance, such as stupor, motor rigidity, posturing, waxy flexibility, mutism, negativism, and behaviors like echolalia or echopraxia. When these catatonic features occur alongside another mental disorder, the appropriate DSM-5/DSM-5-TR descriptor is the “with catatonia” specifier. This flag signals that catatonic symptoms are present and informs treatment choices (benzodiazepines like lorazepam, or electroconvulsive therapy) and prognosis, regardless of whether the underlying condition is mood, psychotic, or another disorder. The other options don’t fit because they point to delirium (fluctuating consciousness), mood-only features, or perceptual hallucinations, none of which specifically capture the catatonic motor syndrome.