Monday, July 20, 2020

Psychomotor Retardation in Bipolar Disorder

Psychomotor Retardation in Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Depression Print Psychomotor Retardation in Bipolar Disorder By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 09, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on January 09, 2020 Bipolar Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Your Rights Caiaimage / Rafal Rodzoch / Getty Images Experiencing psychomotor retardation feels as if a dial has been turned to put you on slow speed. The resulting effects include sluggish or diminished body movements, usually accompanied by a similar slowing of your thought processes. The physical manifestations vary in scope and severity but are usually obvious to both loved ones and healthcare professionals. Psychomotor retardation occurs commonly during depressive episodes of bipolar disorder as well as major depressive disorder. In these circumstances, the effects are usually temporary and recede as the depression lifts.?? The development of psychomotor retardation does not always signal a depressive episode. Other situations and conditionsâ€"such as drug side effects and certain  medical diseasesâ€"can also trigger reduced or slow physical and mental activity.??   Signs and Symptoms of Psychomotor Retardation People with psychomotor retardation move, speak, react, and usually think more slowly than normal. This can manifest in a variety of ways, largely depending on the severity of the impairment. An affected persons speech is noticeably slow and may be punctuated by long pauses or losing the train of thought. Delayed responsiveness and difficulty following another persons conversation are also common. Complex mental processesâ€"such as calculating a tip or mapping out directionsâ€"take longer to accomplish.?? Common examples of physical manifestations of psychomotor retardation include:   Sluggishness when walking or changing positions, such as getting up from a chairSlumped postureSpeaking in a soft, monotonous voiceStaring into space and reduced eye contactDiminished facility with fine motor tasks, such as writing, using scissors, and tying shoelaces  Impaired ability to perform tasks requiring eye-hand coordination, such as catching a ball, shaving, and applying makeupSlow reaction time, such as when reaching for a falling object A person with severe psychomotor retardation may appear catatonic or nearly catatonic. In this state, the person does not respond to others or the environment and is typically virtually motionless. Catatonia represents a medical emergency, as it can become life-threatening. Causes of Slowed Physical and Mental Activity Several disorders and conditions can cause slowed mental and physical activity. This occurs most frequently in people experiencing a depressive episode due to major depression or bipolar disorder. The degree of physical and mental blunting often correlates to the severity of the depressive episode. Other psychiatric disorders sometimes associated with psychomotor retardation include: Schizophrenia  spectrum disordersOther depressive disorders  Obsessive-compulsive disorderPost-traumatic stress disorderSubstance abuse       Nervous systems diseases and other conditions that might cause blunted or slow physical and mental activity include: DementiaMedication side effects, especially psychiatric medicines  HypothyroidismParkinsons disease  and related conditionsCertain genetic conditions, such as Huntingtons disease Treating Psychomotor Retardation Reviewing current medications is one of the first steps in addressing psychomotor retardation. This is important to determine whether medication side effects might be triggering the physical and mental slowness. Certain anti-anxiety  and antipsychotic medications commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder are possible culprits. If other causes have been ruled out, medication is typically the first line of treatment for people experiencing psychomotor retardation associated with a depressive episode.?? The choice of medication or a combination of medicines is made on an individual basis. Current and past medications and an individuals response to them are important considerations in drug treatment decisions. Common medication options for people with bipolar disorder experiencing a depressive episode include Abilify (aripiprazone), Depakote (valproic acid), Lamictal (lamotrigine), Latuda (lurasidone), lithium, Seroquel (quetiapine), and Zyprexa (olanzapine), among others.??     With severe depression, especially if accompanied by catatonia, loss of touch with reality, or a high risk of suicide, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be an option. While it is one of the fastest ways to treat bipolar depression, ECT is generally undertaken only if other treatment options fail.?? Once the right combination of medications is found, psychotherapy  and other non-medical therapies may be used in addition to medication to support long-term mood stabilization. The 9 Best Online Therapy Programs

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