Negativism means a morbid tendency in a person to do the opposite of what he or she is desired or directed to do. It is especially characteristic of those suffering from SCHIZOPHRENIA, but is not uncommon in non-psychotic persons.
n. behaviour that is the opposite of that suggested by others. In active negativism the individual does the opposite of what is asked for (for example, screws the eyes up when asked to open them). In *psychosis it is usually associated with other features of *catatonia. In passive negativism the person fails to cooperate (for example, stops eating). This occurs in *schizophrenia and *depression.
n. a state in which a person becomes mute or stuporous or adopts bizarre postures. The features include waxy flexibility (flexibilitas cerea), in which the limbs may be moved passively by another person into positions that are then retained for hours on end. Other common features include non-goal-directed excitement, *posturing, *negativism, rigidity, and command automatism (automatic compliance with instructions). Catatonia usually occurs in the context of *schizophrenia, but is now rarely seen in developed countries. It remains common in developing countries. Treatment includes high-dose *benzodiazepines and *electroconvulsive therapy. —catatonic adj.... catatonia
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