Does your mind and body feel stuck? Let's talk about Psychomotor Retardation

Do you sometimes feel like you have no energy to do anything? Your thinking speed is slow, your body is very heavy, it feels like you are sinking in a thick layer of glue... If that's how you feel, this topic we are talking about today may be very important to you. This is a symptom that comes with some mental illnesses and is visible.

What is Psychomotor Retardation?

Simply put, this means that both your mental processes (thinking) and physical processes (moving your body) become slowed down or very slow. It is not a separate illness. However, it can be a symptom of a mental illness such as Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder . In fact, it is one of the few symptoms of these illnesses that are visible to others.

The word "psychomotor" refers to the body movements that occur in conjunction with our mind, that is, the activities of the mind. So this condition can affect the way you think, your body movements, the way you move your eyes, and even your facial expressions.

Difference between Psychomotor Retardation and Psychomotor Agitation

Although these two words sound similar, these two conditions are completely opposite. While Psychomotor Retardation slows down your movements, Psychomotor Agitation is the opposite. It means your movements become faster and more agitated.

A person with Psychomotor Agitation is constantly restless and can't seem to stay in one place. They do the same things over and over again. For example, they pace around the room, wring their hands, and constantly wiggle their fingers. Some people may even harm themselves because of these excessive movements. For example, they bite the inside of their cheeks or pick at the skin around their nails.

Let's look at this table to easily understand the difference between these two situations.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

Scientists are still trying to figure out the exact cause, but there are a few things they have discovered so far.

Changes in the brain

The basal ganglia are a part of our brain that helps control our muscle movements. This condition can be caused by changes in the function of this part. Studies have also shown that reduced blood flow to some parts of the brain is also involved. This condition can also be caused by errors in the communication of messages through the neurotransmitter dopamine in people with depression.

Other medical conditions

This symptom is commonly seen in conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder. In addition, it can be associated with several other diseases:

• Diabetes​
• Stroke​
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Dementia
• Parkinson's disease
• Thyroid diseases

Aging

It's normal for our mental and physical functions to slow down a bit as we age. But in this case of Psychomotor Retardation, that slowing down is much more severe than normal.

Some medications and drugs

These symptoms can also be caused by certain medications, drugs, and other things.

• Medications for some mental illnesses
• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Sedatives
• Some painkillers (Opioids)

What are the symptoms of this condition?

A person with this condition may exhibit symptoms such as:

• Posture: Having a slumped, hunched posture.
• Speech: Speaking very slowly, in a monotone, in a low voice. Leaving large gaps between words.
• Walking: Walking slowly, as if dragging your legs.
• Facial expression: Maintaining a fixed, emotionless face.
• Eyes: Avoiding looking directly at others, looking down.
• Memory: Difficulty remembering and concentrating.
• Strength: The state of having no strength for anything.
• Response: Responding to events is very slow.
• Daily tasks: Difficulty performing daily tasks that require simple, precise movements, such as tying shoelaces.

Imagine, you are talking to someone like that. He speaks very slowly. He doesn't seem to respond to what you are saying. There is no emotion on his face. You may even wonder if he understands what you are saying. This is one such experience.

How does a doctor recognize this?

A doctor or mental health counselor can diagnose this condition by carefully observing your speech patterns, facial expressions, eye movements, posture, and body movements. There are special tests and assessment methods used for this.

The doctor mainly focuses on these things:

• Is there a posture where the body breaks and falls?
• Are the movements of the arms, legs, head, and torso very slow?
• Do you have behaviors like constantly touching your face?

These symptoms are usually more pronounced in the morning, so it may be easier to recognize this early in the day.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the condition. For example, if it is caused by a thyroid disorder, your doctor will treat that condition. He or she will also check to see if any medications you are taking are causing the condition.

If this is caused by a condition such as depression, treatments such as these can be used:

• Medications: Your doctor may prescribe SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)Treatment can begin with a class of medications such as:. Your doctor will determine the most suitable medication for you based on your medical history and other medical conditions.
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): This involves putting you under anesthesia and sending very small electrical currents to your brain. This treatment may be used in cases where you don't respond to medication or if you have suicidal thoughts.
• rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): This involves sending magnetic pulses to nerve cells in the brain. This is also an approved treatment for depression.
• Psychotherapy: Although there is not much evidence to show how much psychotherapy directly affects this condition, psychotherapy is very effective for conditions like depression, especially when combined with other treatments.
• Rehabilitation: Physical therapy can improve movement and balance, and occupational therapy can help you perform daily tasks more easily. Speech therapy can help if you have difficulty speaking.

How to live with this situation?

Even with this condition, you can still feel a little better by making small changes to your lifestyle.

• Exercise: Even if exercise is the last thing you want to do at that moment, something as simple as going for a walk can give you energy.
• Make a daily schedule: Write down your daily tasks in a notebook or on your phone. But don't expect too much. You can do two or three things a day.
• Break down large tasks into chunks: If there's a task that's too big to do all at once, break it down into smaller, doable steps.
• Prioritize: This situation will take a long time to work through, so think about what is most important to you and prioritize those.
• Ask for help: Ask for help from family and friends. Even a small help like going to the store can make a big difference at the time.
• Be kind to yourself: Life is very difficult with this condition. Understand your limitations. Don't force yourself to be "normal."