catalepsy
/ˈkætəˌlɛpsi/
noun
- A medical condition in which a person's body becomes stiff and rigid, and they do not respond to stimuli, often associated with disorders like schizophrenia or epilepsy.
- The doctor explained that catalepsy is not the same as a coma, because the person is still aware of their surroundings.
- The patient experienced a brief episode of catalepsy during the seizure.
- In some forms of schizophrenia, catalepsy can cause the person to hold a fixed position for a long time.