catalepsy

n. a state of sustained unresponsiveness in which a fixed body posture or physical attitude is maintained over a long period of time. It is seen in cases of catatonic schizophrenia, epilepsy, and other disorders. Also called catatonic rigidity; flexibilitas cerea; waxy flexibility. See also epidemic catalepsy. —cataleptic adj.

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Psychology term of the day

February 22nd 2025

waking dream

1. an episode of dreamlike visual imagery experienced when one is not asleep. The term is sometimes applied to hallucinations, religious visions, and the like.

2. a dreamlike phenomenon occurring in the Ganzfeld.

3. a dream process in the psychoanalytic theory of British psychiatrist Wilfred Bion (1897–1979).