PHC-MHN-Motor Activity Disorders-SYNOPSIS

📘 Motor Activity Disorders (Psychomotor Disorders)


✅ Definition:

Motor Activity Disorders are disturbances in a person’s movement or motor behavior that are psychological in origin rather than due to physical neurological causes. They are commonly seen in psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and catatonia.


🎯 Classification of Motor Activity Disorders:


✅ **1. Increased Psychomotor Activity (Hyperactivity):

TermDescriptionCommon in
Psychomotor AgitationUncontrolled, purposeless, restless movements like pacing, wringing handsSeen in Mania, Agitated Depression, Schizophrenia
ExcitementExcessive, uncoordinated motor activity often accompanied by shouting or aggressionSeen in Manic Episodes, Acute Psychosis
OveractivityIncreased goal-directed movements, rapid speech, restlessnessBipolar Mania
VerbigerationMeaningless repetition of phrases or sentencesSchizophrenia

✅ **2. Decreased Psychomotor Activity (Hypoactivity):

TermDescriptionCommon in
Psychomotor RetardationSlowing of movement, posture, and speechSeen in Major Depression, Catatonia
StuporAbsence of movement and response to external stimuliSeen in Severe Depression, Catatonia, Dissociation
MutismNo verbal response despite apparent alertnessSeen in Catatonia, Schizophrenia, Conversion Disorder

✅ **3. Abnormal/Involuntary Movements:

TermDescriptionCommon in
StereotypyRepetitive, non-goal-directed movement (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking)Schizophrenia, Autism
MannerismOdd, exaggerated movements with a purpose (e.g., saluting frequently)Chronic Schizophrenia
EchopraxiaImitation of others’ movementsCatatonic Schizophrenia
Automatic ObedienceFollowing every command without resistanceCatatonia
NegativismActive resistance to instructions or doing the oppositeCatatonia, Schizophrenia
Waxy Flexibility (Catalepsy)Maintaining a body posture rigidly after being placed in itCatatonic Schizophrenia
PosturingVoluntarily assuming inappropriate or bizarre postures for long periodsCatatonia

✅ **4. Other Related Terms:

TermDescription
TicsSudden, repetitive, involuntary motor movements (e.g., eye blinking)
AkathisiaInability to sit still, intense inner restlessness (can be drug-induced)
CatatoniaA syndrome involving stupor, rigidity, mutism, or excitement
GrimacingInvoluntary facial expressions, often bizarre

📌 Golden One-Liners for Quick Revision:

  • 🧠 “Waxy flexibility is pathognomonic of Catatonic Schizophrenia.”
  • 🧠 “Stereotypy is purposeless repetitive movement.”
  • 🧠 “Mutism without stupor indicates catatonia or conversion disorder.”
  • 🧠 “Psychomotor agitation is a hallmark of manic episodes.”
  • 🧠 “Echopraxia = copying others’ movements; Echolalia = copying others’ speech.”
  • 1. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of catatonic schizophrenia?
  • A) Waxy Flexibility
    B) Delusion of Persecution
    C) Flight of Ideas
    D) Echolalia
  • Correct Answer: A) Waxy Flexibility
    Rationale: Waxy flexibility (Catalepsy) is a condition where the patient maintains imposed postures for long periods; it is a classical sign of catatonic schizophrenia.

·       


  • 2. Repetitive, purposeless, and stereotyped movements like hand-flapping or rocking are known as:
  • A) Mannerism
    B) Stereotypy
    C) Echopraxia
    D) Akathisia
  • Correct Answer: B) Stereotypy
    Rationale: Stereotypy involves repetitive, non-goal-directed movements and is commonly seen in schizophrenia and autism.

·       


  • 3. Which of the following terms describes a patient actively resisting all attempts to be moved or instructed?
  • A) Negativism
    B) Echopraxia
    C) Catalepsy
    D) Mutism
  • Correct Answer: A) Negativism
    Rationale: Negativism is a psychomotor disorder where the patient shows resistance to instructions or does the opposite of what is asked.

·       


  • 4. A patient continuously imitates the movements of the healthcare staff. This phenomenon is known as:
  • A) Echolalia
    B) Echopraxia
    C) Mannerism
    D) Stereotypy
  • Correct Answer: B) Echopraxia
    Rationale: Echopraxia refers to the pathological imitation of others’ movements, commonly seen in catatonia.

·       


  • 5. Which of the following is an example of decreased psychomotor activity?
  • A) Psychomotor Agitation
    B) Akathisia
    C) Psychomotor Retardation
    D) Excitement
  • Correct Answer: C) Psychomotor Retardation
    Rationale: Psychomotor retardation involves slowing of physical and mental activities and is typically observed in major depressive disorder.
  • 1. Which motor activity disorder involves maintaining an awkward posture for a long time without discomfort?
  • A) Catalepsy (Waxy Flexibility)
    B) Echopraxia
    C) Akathisia
    D) Psychomotor Agitation
  • Correct Answer: A) Catalepsy (Waxy Flexibility)
    Rationale: In catalepsy, the patient maintains imposed postures for extended periods, seen in catatonic schizophrenia.

·       


  • 2. Repetitive, purposeless motor movements like hand-flapping are classified as:
  • A) Mannerism
    B) Stereotypy
    C) Akathisia
    D) Negativism
  • Correct Answer: B) Stereotypy
    Rationale: Stereotypy involves repetitive, non-purposeful movements, common in schizophrenia and autism.

·       


  • 3. Which of the following is a characteristic of psychomotor agitation?
  • A) Slowing of physical activities
    B) Repeated pacing and wringing of hands
    C) Complete absence of movement
    D) Maintenance of rigid postures
  • Correct Answer: B) Repeated pacing and wringing of hands
    Rationale: Psychomotor agitation is seen in mania and severe anxiety, involving restlessness and purposeless movements.

·       


  • 4. A patient keeps saluting frequently in an exaggerated manner. This behavior is called:
  • A) Stereotypy
    B) Mannerism
    C) Echopraxia
    D) Compulsion
  • Correct Answer: B) Mannerism
    Rationale: Mannerism is a peculiar and exaggerated way of performing goal-directed movements.

·       


  • 5. Imitating another person’s movements involuntarily is known as:
  • A) Echolalia
    B) Echopraxia
    C) Negativism
    D) Stereotypy
  • Correct Answer: B) Echopraxia
    Rationale: Echopraxia involves mimicking the movements of others, often seen in catatonia.

·       


  • 6. Inability to remain seated and constant motor restlessness is termed:
  • A) Akathisia
    B) Psychomotor Retardation
    C) Catalepsy
    D) Mutism
  • Correct Answer: A) Akathisia
    Rationale: Akathisia is a movement disorder often induced by antipsychotic medications, leading to inner restlessness.

·       


  • 7. Which of the following is a sign of psychomotor retardation?
  • A) Hyperactivity
    B) Increased speech
    C) Slowness of movement and delayed responses
    D) Repeated purposeless movements
  • Correct Answer: C) Slowness of movement and delayed responses
    Rationale: Psychomotor retardation is commonly seen in depression and involves slowed movements and speech.

·       


  • 8. Which disorder is primarily associated with motor tics?
  • A) Autism Spectrum Disorder
    B) Tourette’s Syndrome
    C) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
    D) Catatonic Schizophrenia
  • Correct Answer: B) Tourette’s Syndrome
    Rationale: Motor and vocal tics are characteristic of Tourette’s Syndrome.

·       


  • 9. Which motor activity disorder involves a patient refusing to speak despite being conscious?
  • A) Stupor
    B) Mutism
    C) Negativism
    D) Psychomotor Agitation
  • Correct Answer: B) Mutism
    Rationale: Mutism is seen in catatonia and conversion disorders, where the patient remains silent despite alertness.

·       


  • 10. What is the term for active resistance or doing the opposite of what is instructed?
  • A) Negativism
    B) Echopraxia
    C) Compulsion
    D) Catalepsy
  • Correct Answer: A) Negativism
    Rationale: Negativism is a hallmark feature of catatonia, characterized by refusal to follow instructions.

·       


  • 11. Which condition is characterized by repetitive blinking and shoulder shrugging?
  • A) Stereotypy
    B) Tics
    C) Mannerism
    D) Akathisia
  • Correct Answer: B) Tics
    Rationale: Tics are sudden, repetitive, involuntary motor movements.

·       


  • 12. In catatonic schizophrenia, following all commands automatically is known as:
  • A) Automatic Obedience
    B) Echopraxia
    C) Mutism
    D) Negativism
  • Correct Answer: A) Automatic Obedience
    Rationale: Automatic obedience refers to following commands without hesitation, seen in catatonia.

·       


  • 13. Excessive and purposeless motor activity without any goal is known as:
  • A) Psychomotor Retardation
    B) Catatonia
    C) Excitement
    D) Akathisia
  • Correct Answer: C) Excitement
    Rationale: This is seen in manic episodes and catatonic excitement, where the patient exhibits uncoordinated hyperactivity.

·       


  • 14. Repeating the same movement again and again without purpose is called:
  • A) Echopraxia
    B) Perseveration
    C) Stereotypy
    D) Mannerism
  • Correct Answer: C) Stereotypy
    Rationale: Stereotypy involves repetitive, purposeless behavior.

·       


  • 15. Waxy flexibility is also known as:
  • A) Catalepsy
    B) Mutism
    C) Negativism
    D) Psychomotor Agitation
  • Correct Answer: A) Catalepsy
    Rationale: Waxy flexibility or catalepsy is a key sign of catatonia where the patient maintains a fixed posture.

·       


  • 16. Which of the following is a hyperkinetic motor activity disorder?
  • A) Stupor
    B) Akathisia
    C) Psychomotor Retardation
    D) Mutism
  • Correct Answer: B) Akathisia
    Rationale: Akathisia involves hyperactive movements caused by inner restlessness.

·       


  • 17. Which motor disorder is most frequently induced by antipsychotic medications?
  • A) Akathisia
    B) Catatonia
    C) Mutism
    D) Mannerism
  • Correct Answer: A) Akathisia
    Rationale: Akathisia is a common side effect of antipsychotic medications leading to movement restlessness.

·       


  • 18. Which of the following is an example of decreased psychomotor activity?
  • A) Excitement
    B) Psychomotor Agitation
    C) Stupor
    D) Akathisia
  • Correct Answer: C) Stupor
    Rationale: Stupor is a state of unresponsiveness and immobility, often seen in catatonia.

·       


  • 19. Which of the following is a drug-induced motor activity disorder?
  • A) Catalepsy
    B) Akathisia
    C) Stereotypy
    D) Echopraxia
  • Correct Answer: B) Akathisia
    Rationale: Akathisia is commonly induced by antipsychotics and involves restlessness.

·       


  • 20. Repetition of words or phrases beyond appropriate context is called:
  • A) Echolalia
    B) Echopraxia
    C) Stereotypy
    D) Perseveration
  • Correct Answer: D) Perseveration
    Rationale: Perseveration is the pathological repetition of words or actions.

·       


  • 21. Which of the following is commonly seen in catatonia?
  • A) Mannerism
    B) Waxy Flexibility
    C) Flight of Ideas
    D) Delusions
  • Correct Answer: B) Waxy Flexibility
    Rationale: Waxy flexibility is the hallmark motor sign of catatonic schizophrenia.

·       


  • 22. A patient keeps imitating the nurse’s every movement. This behavior is known as:
  • A) Echopraxia
    B) Echolalia
    C) Stereotypy
    D) Catalepsy
  • Correct Answer: A) Echopraxia
    Rationale: Echopraxia involves mimicking other people’s movements involuntarily.

·       


  • 23. Motor tics usually worsen with:
  • A) Relaxation
    B) Stress and Anxiety
    C) Sleep
    D) Food Intake
  • Correct Answer: B) Stress and Anxiety
    Rationale: Tics are aggravated by emotional stress and anxiety.

·       


  • 24. Which psychomotor disorder involves sudden stoppage of thought and movement mid-conversation?
  • A) Thought Insertion
    B) Thought Blocking
    C) Stupor
    D) Mutism
  • Correct Answer: B) Thought Blocking
    Rationale: Thought blocking leads to sudden interruption in thinking and often stops motor activity briefly.

·       


  • 25. Which of the following is NOT a motor activity disorder?
  • A) Negativism
    B) Waxy Flexibility
    C) Echolalia
    D) Psychomotor Retardation
  • Correct Answer: C) Echolalia
    Rationale: Echolalia is a speech-related disorder, not a motor activity disorder.

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Categorized as MHN-SYNOPSIS-PHC, Uncategorised