Psychomotor retardation is defined as?

Study for the Primary Clinical Skills- Intro to Mental Status Test. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with detailed explanations. Get ready for your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Psychomotor retardation is defined as?

Explanation:
Psychomotor retardation is the slowing of both physical movements and thought processes, most often seen in depressive states. In practice, you’d notice slowed initiation of actions, slower gait, diminished facial expression, and speech that is slow and monotone. This contrasts with psychomotor agitation (increased, restless activity) or rapid/pressured speech seen in mania or anxiety, and with involuntary movements that point to other motor disorders. So the defining feature is the slowed movements and slowed mental processing characteristic of depression, making slowed movements seen in depression the best description.

Psychomotor retardation is the slowing of both physical movements and thought processes, most often seen in depressive states. In practice, you’d notice slowed initiation of actions, slower gait, diminished facial expression, and speech that is slow and monotone. This contrasts with psychomotor agitation (increased, restless activity) or rapid/pressured speech seen in mania or anxiety, and with involuntary movements that point to other motor disorders. So the defining feature is the slowed movements and slowed mental processing characteristic of depression, making slowed movements seen in depression the best description.

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