Catalepsy

Catalepsy is a state of muscular rigidity and decreased sensitivity to pain that is often seen as a symptom of physiologically involved psychiatric disorders (disorders that involve physical brain syndromes) such as Schizophrenia, epilepsy or Parkinson's disease. It is also seen as a result of cocaine withdrawal and occasionally as a side-effect of severe emotional shock and trauma.

Catalepsy is characterized by body and/or limb rigidity, limbs staying in same position when moved (also known as waxy flexibility), lack of physical response, loss of muscle control, and a severe slowing down of bodily functions (such as breathing). In the past catalepsy was sometimes misdiagnosed as death and resulted in persons actually being buried alive.