Altered Motion (Psychomotor Symptoms)

Altered motion

The ways that motion can be affected by unusual experiences is not that well understood but overwhelming emotional states are thought to be at the core of the alteration, including fear, anxiety and sadness. These are so intensely felt that it results in extremes of motion. For some people these extremes of motion can be horrific and can cause them to feel as if they are dead or are going to die. Sometimes these experiences can cause us to be agitated, slowed or cease movement altogether.

This can take the form of feeling like you have to move around in some way, for example this may be pacing up and down, jumping about or having legs that won’t stop shaking up and down.

Or it could take the form of feeling like everything takes a lot longer or requires more effort than usual. For example this may be sitting still for long periods of time, stopping and staring into space or finding it hard to communicate.

These types of experiences can be categorised in three ways as described below:

Generalised slowing of movement (Psychomotor Retardation)

This is characterised by moving around less than usual. For  example, moving slowly, doing less or tasks taking much longer than usual to complete and speaking less or speaking much more slowly than usual. This is to the point that people may comment on it.

Excessive movement (Psychomotor Agitation)

This is characterised by moving around more than usual, for example fidgeting, fiddling, excessive hand movements, shifting and not being able to sit or stand still. 

Catatonia (Excitability or stupor)

This is characterised by constant purposeless movement (excitability) or being unable to move or speak as usual (stupor). For example, staying in the same position (posturing), being able to be moved by other people and then maintaining that position (waxy flexibility), not responding to external queues or stimuli (negativism), not speaking (mutism).

What might help?

As these states of motion are not as well understood it can be challenging to find ways to alleviate or manage them. They don’t typically come on suddenly in relation to unusual experiences so there may be things you can do, the ideas below might help.

1. Keep an eye on your motion and the way it can affect you, look out for any early indicators so you can take action.
2. Use any techniques that you know to help manage your emotions when you’re starting to feel overwhelmed.
3. Ask a family member or friend to stay with you if you’re concerned.
4. If you feel it is likely to happen and your techniques are not working, try to get to somewhere that is a safe space for you.
5. If you have created or been given a plan for these situations try to use it, for example contacting the person responsible for your care.
6. In cases that are prolonged or severe seek treatment, this may include benzodiazepines or electroconvulsive therapy.