Psychomotor retardation

Psychomotor retardation involves a slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movements in an individual. It can cause a visible slowing of physical and emotional reactions, including speech and affect.^[1]

Psychomotor retardation
Other names	Psychomotor impairment, motormental retardation, psychomotor slowing
Specialty	Psychiatry

Psychomotor retardation is most commonly seen in people with major depression and in the depressed phase of bipolar disorder;^[2] it is also associated with the adverse effects of certain drugs, such as benzodiazepines.^[3]

Causes

• Psychiatric disorders: anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, schizophrenia, severe depression, etc.
• Psychiatric medicines (if taken as prescribed or improperly, overdosed, or mixed with alcohol)
• Parkinson's disease^[4]
• Genetic disorders: Qazi–Markouizos syndrome, Say–Meyer syndrome, Tranebjaerg-Svejgaard syndrome, Wiedemann–Steiner syndrome, Wilson's disease, etc.

Examples

Examples of psychomotor retardation include the following:

In schizophrenia, activity level may vary from psychomotor retardation to agitation; the patient experiences periods of listlessness and may be unresponsive, and at the next moment be active and energetic.^[5]

See also

• Psychomotor learning
• Psychomotor agitation
• Disorders of diminished motivation