Stupor is the lack of critical cognitive function and level of consciousness wherein a sufferer is almost entirely unresponsive and only responds to base stimuli such as pain. A person is also rigid and mute and only appears to be conscious as the eyes are open and follow surrounding objects (Gelder, Mayou and Geddes 2005). The word derives from the Latin stupure, meaning insensible. Being characterised by impairments of reactions to external stimuli, it usually appears in infectious diseases, complicated toxic states, severe hypothermia, mental illnesses (e.g. schizophrenia, severe clinical depression), vascular illnesses (e.g. hypertensive encephalopathy), neoplasms (e.g. brain tumors), vitamin D deficiency and so on.
Symptoms
If not stimulated externally, a patient with stupor will be in a sleepy mode most of the time. In some extreme cases of severe depressive disorders the patient can become motionless, lose their appetite and become mute (Gelder,M, Mayou,R and Geddes,J. 2005). Short periods of restricted responsivity can be achieved by intense stimulation (e.g. pain, bright light, loud noise).
Localization of brain lesions
Lesions of the Ascending Reticular Activation System on height of the pons and metencephalon have been shown to cause stupor. The incidence is higher after left-sided lesions.
See also
References
- ^ Berrios G E (1981) Stupor: A Conceptual History. Psychological Medicine 11: 677-688
- ^ Berrios G E (1981) Stupor Revisited. Comprehensive Psychiatry 22: 466-478
