Catalepsy

What feelings does the reader experience when he sees another person in front of him who has fallen into a stupor? Probably, many will feel uneasy, because this is an unnatural state for a living being, immediately reminding us that we are not eternal. But what if, in addition to the lack of reaction to words and actions, a person also takes an unusual pose in which he remains for quite a long time? An even more terrible sight. And it has its own name - catalepsy, which in Greek means "holding."

Illness or temporary condition?

When we watch performances by famous magicians who make a person hang motionless in the air, leaning only on the backs of chairs, we experience delight and admiration. Watching horror films about exorcism (casting out the devil), where the spirit that has entered a person makes his body bend and take incredible poses, is another way to raise the adrenaline level. But such spectacles can only surprise or scare a child, because everyone understands that there is nothing serious or frightening hidden behind such “tricks”.

It's another thing to see something like this in everyday life. You're sitting there, talking to a person, and suddenly, for no apparent reason, he stops reacting to the outside world, as if he doesn't see anything around him. Such a stupor and frozen pose in an ordinary person in everyday life can scare anyone. This condition is commonly called catalepsy, because a person can maintain a frozen pose for a long time.

Not only does a person in this condition resemble a doll, but they can also be controlled like a puppet. If you lift a person, they will stand, sit down – they will sit, raise their hand, and they will freeze with their hand raised. A person with such a pathology can be given any unimaginable pose, and no matter how uncomfortable it is, the patient will maintain it until the end of the catalepsy attack. That is why the pathology has another name – waxy flexibility.

When the attack passes, the person returns to a normal state, as if those few minutes, hours or even days of immobility, reminiscent of a deep sleep with open eyes, never happened. The most interesting thing is that during an attack, some patients see illusions reminiscent of dreams. But there is also a part of people who, with catalepsy, are fully conscious, see and hear everything that is happening around them and can even describe their feelings after “waking up”.

Since it is not typical for a normal person to stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time (unless, of course, he is a masochist) and not react to others, many will be interested in what kind of disease it is, when such attacks occur, and whether it is contagious. There is definitely no need to worry about the latter, it is not a virus that is transmitted through the air or from person to person. Catalepsy is a condition that is the responsibility of psychiatrists and neurologists. These are the doctors who study it.

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Epidemiology

Statistics on the frequency of the symptom of catalepsy in different patients are silent. But there is information that the pathology does not depend on the patient's gender and type of activity. As for young patients, catalepsy in children is diagnosed mainly in adolescence against the background of boiling love and other passions. Most often, it is one of the manifestations of narcolepsy.

This symptom is quite rare. In historical chronicles, a similar condition with muscle numbness and slowing down of body functions was associated with vampires. But if the attack was long, it did not come to this, since during it, in the absence of medical literacy, death was diagnosed and the person was buried alive. Fortunately, today this phenomenon has been more or less studied, and such episodes of burial of living people are no longer observed.

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Causes catalepsy

It should be said that catalepsy is not considered a separate disease. Attacks of catatonic stupor, characterized by inhibition of movements, lack of speech activity, increased muscle rigidity (hypertension) are a syndrome characteristic of mental disorders. They can be observed in patients with schizophrenia, hysterical attacks and some other pathological conditions.

Catalepsy can also be observed in people with a neurological diagnosis of "narcolepsy". This pathology is from the category of hypersomnias, when a person experiences increased sleepiness in broad daylight, and also has episodes of sudden falling asleep while performing a habitual activity. Catalepsy in this case is considered one of the manifestations of narcolepsy.

Catalepsy may be a consequence of organic lesions and brain injuries with disruption of neural connections. It is clear that conditions similar to cataleptic attacks can be observed in patients with Parkinson's disease, which is the result of incorrect treatment of encephalitis.

All the above-described moments speak of catalepsy as a disease. In fact, similar attacks of inhibition have been recorded even in the case of other psychotic disorders, which are not usually characterized by this symptom. The cause of this condition was not the disease itself, but its inadequate treatment. We are talking about an overdose of psychotropic drugs, in particular neuroleptics (Haloperidol, Triftazin, etc.), blocking the synthesis of the neurotransmitter dopamine (a hormone responsible for human activity and stimulating activity from which a person gets pleasure).

But the fact that the state of catalepsy can be observed in some pathologies and the introduction of a high dose of neuroleptics does not explain the reasons for its appearance. Doctors have not yet been able to answer the question of why such a strange attack in the form of a "short circuit" occurs in a person. Although this circuit, to tell the truth, can not always be called short.

For now, scientists are considering two main theories of catalepsy development. One is based on the fact that the state of inhibition can be caused by neurological disorders, which is confirmed by the phenomenon of narcolepsy. The other looks for the causes of an incomprehensible stupor in mental factors, because often an attack begins against the background of strong emotions and experiences. Sometimes you can observe how hysteria is replaced by a sharp stupor, upon exiting which a person continues to experience the same emotional excitement, as if an invisible switch is hidden inside him. In this case, catalepsy looks like a protective reaction of the psyche.

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Pathogenesis

It is quite possible that the pathogenesis of catalepsy should consider the combined influence of neurological and psychological causes, but no one has yet been able to prove this theory. As experience shows, risk factors for cataleptic attacks can be considered: some mental and neurological disorders, organic diseases of the brain, the use of neuroleptics in high doses, and even some psychological techniques, which we will discuss below.

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Symptoms catalepsy

The clinical picture of pure catalepsy (empty catatonia) is reduced to a sudden immobilization of the patient's body, while his muscles become unusually hard or resemble wax, on which traces of pressure from fingers remain. A feeling of sudden death is created, although when listening, one can hear weak breathing and pulse, which also seem to slow down along with motor reactions, but to a lesser extent. Breathing becomes rarer, and the heart rate decreases, which is felt as a pulse.

It must be said that observing a person in a state of catalepsy is not the most pleasant activity. A fixed gaze, lack of eyelid movement, blinking, facial expressions and any other movements are characteristic features of a cataleptic attack, which can horrify the observer, because it seems that the person has suddenly died.

The symptoms described can be called the first signs of catalepsy, although they are also characteristic of catatonia - a deeper disorder that includes not only motor activity disorders: catatonic stupor, characteristic of catalepsy, or agitation (a condition somewhat reminiscent of demonic possession, which is depicted in horror films), hallucinations, delusional disorders, etc.

Another feature of catalepsy is that in a state of forced numbness, a person's sensitivity to any stimuli is reduced. This explains how, in a state of rigid catalepsy, a person's rather heavy body can rest on objects with a fairly sharp surface, but he does not feel pain.

The same applies to internal irritants. While the patient is in a state of numbness, he is not subject to feelings of shame, fear, etc., which would make him do something. He meekly allows various manipulations to be done with his body, to be given any poses, even those in which a person normally experiences severe discomfort or pain.

Scientists associate the state of catalepsy with the increased suggestibility of a certain individual. This can explain why not all patients with schizophrenia, narcolepsy and other pathologies, in which catatonic stupor can be observed, are able to remain in such a state.

Increased suggestibility can also explain the presence of other symptoms in some cases of catalepsy:

• Mindless repetition of the same words heard from another person, based on the echo principle (in psychiatry, this condition is called echolalia),
• Mechanical repetition of other people's phrases (echophrasia).

If there is resistance to external actions, the patient begins to perform actions opposite to those he is asked to perform, or monotonously repeats the movements of other people, then it makes sense to talk not about catalepsy, but about catatonia. An attack of catalepsy is a complete immobilization of the body, or rather, a state when there is no control over changing the position of the body, so the patient cannot change even an uncomfortable position for him.

Despite the numbness, patients maintain their balance quite well. Usually, stupor does not arise out of nowhere. It is preceded by strong emotional experiences and even hysterics, during which a person can actively gesticulate, make various movements, change their position. But at some point, their body seems to switch off, and they maintain this static position until the very end of the attack, no matter how uncomfortable it is. For example, the patient may freeze, leaning forward, but he will not fall (unless, of course, he is pushed).

The most interesting thing is that during an attack of numbness, which is not actually instantaneous, since it spreads gradually from the muscles of the neck and arms to the tips of the toes, a person can hear words and see everything that is happening to him, but he is unable to consciously respond to the actions being performed on him. True, some patients, especially with narcolepsy, during catatonic stupor plunge into a state resembling sleep and even see dreams, in many ways resembling hallucinations.

In catalepsy, the body's sensitivity is so reduced that the person does not react to changes in thermal characteristics and pain. When the attack ends, the legs become sensitive first, and then gradually the whole body, up to the head. All body functions, which seemed barely noticeable during the attack, return to normal, as if the person is between life and death.

Another thing is that it is never possible to predict how long a cataleptic attack will last, unless, of course, it is caused by hypnosis. In the latter case, the duration of the condition is controlled by the doctor conducting the hypnosis session. If catalepsy arose naturally against the background of strong emotions, its duration will remain a mystery.

Most often, it is a matter of several minutes, after which the patient comes to his senses, usually experiencing quite strong nervous excitement, making affective movements, etc. But there are cases when catalepsy persists for a longer period. A person can be in a state of numbness not for an hour or two, but for a day or even weeks or months, after which he can return to normal life.

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Catalepsy and hypnosis

It would be wrong to consider catalepsy only as some kind of pathology. An attack of catalepsy can be provoked even in a completely healthy person. This is exactly what we observe in the work of great magicians.

The thing is that cataleptic attacks can proceed in different ways. Waxy flexibility is actually one of the forms of catalepsy, when a person falls into a stupor, but his body remains flexible and can be given various forms, which the person will maintain for a long time.

But there is also a form of the condition in which there is excessive muscle tension that does not allow a person to change his posture. He remains motionless in the state in which the attack caught him. And the muscle tension is so strong that a person's body can be lifted by the head or legs, and he will not move. This condition is called rigid catalepsy. This is what we observe in the performances of magicians, when a person, stretched out "along a string", seems to "hang" in the air, leaning on objects with a small area, which is simply impossible in a normal state.

How to induce catalepsy? Of course, with hypnosis. During performances, we think that the magician hypnotizes us all, so that it seems to us that the person is "hanging" in the air. And we do not even think about the fact that the magician's assistant himself may be hypnotized.

When we talked about catatonic attacks, which are characteristic of various mental and neurological pathologies, we were talking about spontaneous catalepsy, i.e. an uncontrolled state that occurs suddenly without external influence.

If motor stupor is caused by hypnosis, they mean suggested catalepsy, which psychiatrists cause for a specific purpose. It helps to check the depth of the hypnotic state and to carry out such procedures as induction, post-hypnotic suggestion, introduction into a state of amnesia and many others.

During a hypnosis session, an experienced psychotherapist or psychologist can verbally or nonverbally induce a state of catalepsy at any stage of the hypnosis session, although this most often occurs during hypnosis abduction. Even a light trance state can lead to catalepsy. Suggested catalepsy can be used to demonstrate the doctor's capabilities, which causes more trust in patients, to change the perception of reality and increase the level of suggestibility by more than 50%.

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Forms

We have already mentioned that there are two types of catalepsy, which differ in the reactions of the patient's body. Catalepsy with wax flexibility is characterized by the ability to change the patient's position without his desire. In this case, the person's muscles resemble wax, which allows various manipulations to be performed on the body.

It should be said that the various poses that can be given to a body subject to catalepsy are not all. An unusual expression can be given even to the patient's face, and it will not change on its own until the attack is over. Pressing on the stomach will be accompanied by the appearance of finger dents on it, which remain for a long time until the person returns to normal and muscle tone is restored.

Rigid catalepsy is a condition that is the opposite of waxy flexibility (flexible catalepsy). The patient's muscles experience extreme tension and become as hard as metal. It is no longer possible to change a person's posture during an attack. It will remain unchanged even if a person bent at the waist is lifted by one of the limbs. In other words, the person will resemble a statue.

Hypnotic catalepsy is a condition similar to waxy flexibility. The hypnotist can manipulate the patient's limbs to achieve specific goals. The most common use of hands in hypnotic practices.

It is important to understand that the concept of catalepsy itself means immobilization, but does not indicate specifically what part of the body it refers to. In natural conditions, catalepsy affects the entire body, including the muscles of the face, neck, torso, upper and lower extremities. If we are talking about suggested catalepsy, the immobilized, at the request of the hypnotist, may be not the entire body, but only a certain part of it.

Hand catalepsy is one of the hypnotic techniques developed by psychologist Erik Erikson, when not the entire body is immobilized, but only the upper limb. All this happens non-verbally, because consciousness does not participate in the regulation of muscle tone. The balance of tone is established by the cerebellum as a result of imperceptible rocking movements of the patient's hand, controlled by the hypnotist. To be more precise, the hypnotist grabs the person's wrist or covers it with his hand and performs manipulations that ultimately lead to the patient's hand hanging in the air in a certain pose. The hypnotist may ask the patient to open his eyes and look at the result from the outside.

Sometimes, the practice requires a certain verbal preparation of the patient, which is aimed at calming the person and allowing him to produce a hypnotic phenomenon called catalepsy.

Why is such a hypnotic technique necessary? With its help, you can easily and quickly put a person into a trance if you start the session with hand catalepsy. The fact that a person unconsciously began to hold his hand in the air indicates that cooperation between the hypnotist and the patient has been established. This means that you can continue the suggestion with verbal methods, for example, asking the person to close his eyes, remember certain moments from life, etc.

If hand catalepsy is performed after the patient has been put into a trance, its goal is usually to deepen the state. That is, under the influence of suggestion, a person is plunged into a deeper trance after his consciousness is ready to give way to the unconscious. A lowered hand will be a signal for this. It is through this hypnotic tactic that one can determine the depth of a person's immersion in a trance, because the person himself is not able to assess such nuances, mistaking ordinary euphoria for a trance.

Catalepsy caused by taking medications can be considered separately. In this case, the manifestations of pharmacological catalepsy are no different from the symptoms of catatonic stupor that occurs against the background of hysteria or excessive excitement.

A special type of pathological condition characterized by numbness of the entire body is considered to be astral catalepsy, which can be observed at night. Exotericists explain its appearance by the influence of otherworldly forces. Allegedly, at this time the soul separates from the body and can communicate with aliens, ghosts and other invisible entities, which force the physical body to remain motionless, as well as receive nourishment from the world mind. Moreover, it is believed that with certain knowledge, one can learn to induce astral catalepsy in oneself and control it.

But let's come down to earth. Official medicine naturally rejects the exotericists' version. It is believed that catalepsy in sleep, better known as sleep paralysis, is a manifestation of mental disorders, and not an out-of-body journey, when a motionless person observes the movements of his astral body (soul), and not the machinations of aliens or ghosts.

What does a person experience during an attack of astral catalepsy:

• immobility of the whole body (paralysis), inability to move,
• a feeling as if something invisible was pressing down on the chest with all its weight, preventing any movement,
• unexplained loud noise from all sides (and different patients describe it differently, but the sound is always loud),
• an incomprehensible vibration throughout the body, possibly due to muscle strain, although from the outside the person remains motionless,
• difficulty breathing, which patients explain by the pressure of an invisible entity on the chest,
• flashing lights before the eyes,
• the feeling that in the room where a person is sleeping there is a terrible, invisible creature that can even touch the body (a feeling of cold touch).

Judging by the symptoms, it becomes clear that at some point during sleep, a person experiences some kind of malfunction in the brain, accompanied by neurological and mental disorders. As psychologists say, when a person is awake, his consciousness works, and during sleep, consciousness gives way to the subconscious (imagination), which draws us pictures of dreams, mostly taken from past conscious experience. During awakening, the reverse process occurs, i.e. the subconscious retreats and consciousness turns on. If, as a result of some malfunction, consciousness turns on before awakening occurs, sleep paralysis occurs. It is simply very difficult for the mind to react normally to the pictures produced by the subconscious, and it perceives the decreased muscle tone during sleep as pressure from the outside.

In essence, astral catalepsy and ordinary catalepsy are two completely different conditions with similar external manifestations. In both cases, a person is immobilized, i.e. cannot consciously control their movements.

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Complications and consequences

Catalepsy is an unusual condition in which a person loses control over his own body, while remaining conscious. Almost all functions of the body slow down, but do not stop. The heart, although slower, pumps blood. Breathing, although less frequent, is preserved, preventing the brain from dying from hypoxia. After an attack, a person can return to normal life.

It turns out that catalepsy itself as a pathological condition does not pose a danger to the body. It is not for nothing that psychologists and psychotherapists actively practice hypnotic practices with its participation. But, despite the fact that catalepsy has practically no effect on the patient's health and the subsequent work of the brain (apparently, for a static position of the body, the slow work of the body's systems is enough), although attacks can be repeated more than once and last for quite a long time, catalepsy cannot be considered a generally safe phenomenon.

It is difficult to imagine the consequences that could arise if a driver who is very angry with someone suddenly "switches off" in a fit of strong emotional experiences. Even seeing an obstacle ahead (and this could be either an object or a person), he will not be able to do anything to prevent an accident, because his body will be immobilized and not subject to the control of the mind. The only advantage in this situation will be a high pain threshold.

A person can “freeze” in other equally dangerous situations, for example, in the middle of the roadway, where he ran out in hysterics, while doing work that requires attention and is associated with danger, etc. It is simply impossible to entrust such people with a responsible task, since a surge of emotions can temporarily (and for how long?) “switch them off”.

In general, patients with catalepsy need constant supervision. They need to be protected from dangers and troubles that can affect a person's mental state. But sometimes it is so difficult to do this, because from the outside, a recurring unusual stupor can be perceived as an object for ridicule. Children and teenagers are especially cruel in this regard, not understanding the complexity of the situation and the impact of their ridicule and bullying on the patient's psyche (and many will find it extremely funny to change the poses and facial expressions of a person with catalepsy, making them a reason for laughter).

After the attack is over, it is desirable that there be someone next to the patient who can restrain affective impulses and calm the patient’s unusual excitement without aggressive mechanical influence.

Does catalepsy have positive aspects? Perhaps it does, if we consider the probability that the attack prevented some dangerous action that could follow a hysterical attack (for example, a suicide attempt). True, the affective behavior of patients after the attack can reduce everything to "nothing".

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Diagnostics catalepsy

Catalepsy is a condition that is not fully understood, but should not be left without medical help. And not only because such attacks can be dangerous for the patient and those around him. Another important reason to get to the bottom of the phenomenon is the fact that catalepsy does not occur naturally, but is evidence of mental disorders that require special correction before they cause harm to someone.

It is clear that any diagnostics begins with an examination of the patient and communication with him, during which the doctor learns about the symptoms and sensations of the patient. Since scientists have not yet come to a common opinion on which causes are decisive in the development of catalepsy: mental or neurological, the patient must be examined by two doctors: a psychiatrist and a neurologist.

Catalepsy is often one of the syndromes of serious mental pathologies. For example, in schizophrenia or hysteria, a productive dialogue between the doctor and the patient may not take place. In such a case, they resort to the help of the patient's relatives, who can tell how the attacks begin, how they manifest themselves, what precedes them, etc.

Since catalepsy can be caused by psychotropic drugs or intoxication, a laboratory blood test is mandatory. General and biochemical blood tests are standard, as well as tests for AIDS and syphilis. If a bacterial infection is suspected (and it may well cause brain damage with various consequences), a study is conducted to identify the pathogen. Additionally, the level of sugar and thyroid hormones is determined. If there is a suspicion of drug use that can cause a condition similar to catalepsy, a special urine test is performed.

It is clear that the tests themselves provide very little information about the causes of catalepsy, because mental and neurological disorders cannot be diagnosed in this way. More information can be provided by computer or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, spinal puncture, angiography of the cerebral vessels and other instrumental studies.

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Differential diagnosis

The results of examination, communication with the patient and his relatives, analyses and various studies that help shed light on the origins of catalepsy play a role in differential diagnostics and establishing a final diagnosis. While schizophrenia and hysteria are usually easy to diagnose based on the patient's behavior, catalepsy due to the effect of psychoactive substances or toxins on the brain (for example, in alcoholism) is more difficult to detect. Here, communication with the patient's relatives and information about registration with a narcologist will come to the rescue.

The doctor can learn about narcolepsy and daytime naps from the patient's words and the results of polysomnography, which is performed by a somnologist. Sometimes, an encephalography of the brain and a specialized MSLT test are additionally performed. But again, it will be necessary to find out the cause of narcolepsy, which can cause attacks of catalepsy. And these can be head injuries, severe emotional experiences, infections, and pituitary gland dysfunction. Hereditary factors cannot be ruled out either.

If a person's behavior is adequate, he does not take drugs or psychotropic substances, does not abuse alcohol, does not suffer from narcolepsy or mental disorders, perhaps the cause lies in organic brain damage. In this case, a more detailed examination will be needed with the participation of a neurologist, oncologist, neurosurgeon and other specialists.

Catalepsy may be one of the manifestations of catatonic syndrome. In this case, it is necessary to take into account not only the fact of the appearance of motor stupor, but also the presence of other symptoms: monotonous repetition of movements and speech of other people, nervous excitement, resistance to changing posture, negativism, etc.

If catalepsy has become prolonged, it is very important to differentiate it from paralysis and diseases accompanied by impaired motor functions, lethargy, and coma.

Treatment catalepsy

We have already said that catalepsy should not be considered as a separate disease. It is rather a symptom of certain mental and neurological pathologies, the treatment of which should be done first and foremost. Treating catalepsy without identifying its causes makes no sense.

Depending on the cause of catalepsy, its treatment is carried out in psychiatric hospitals, psychological centers or in neurology. But in any case, special psychotherapeutic methods are included in the treatment plan. One of the most promising areas, psychotherapists believe, is the method of interactive imagogy, based on figurative thinking. In this case, the patient is helped to imagine the organ affected by the disease (in this case, the brain), to identify the problem causing cataleptic seizures at the unconscious level, and then mentally draw a positive image that will help in the treatment of the diseased organ. Now the patient only has to mentally imagine the actions to heal himself with the help of a positive image. That is, to transfer the problem from the subconscious to the conscious level in order to begin to effectively combat it.

It is important to remember that catalepsy can be a manifestation of various diseases, so treatment approaches may differ significantly. If attacks are caused by strong emotional experiences, the patient's psyche will need to be stabilized with psychotherapeutic sessions, as well as taking sedatives, tranquilizers, and other psychotropic drugs depending on the diagnosis.

Catalepsy as one of the manifestations of catatonia requires complex treatment using sedatives, benzodiazepines, antiglutamate drugs, electroconvulsive therapy, antipsychotic drugs (used with extreme caution).

In the treatment of catalepsy as a symptom of narcolepsy, improving the quality of sleep comes to the fore. In the evening, such patients are prescribed sleeping pills, and during the day, stimulants that help fight drowsiness. The use of tricyclic antidepressants in narcolepsy helps reduce the likelihood of cataleptic attacks and sleep paralysis.

Treatment procedures must be supported by attention from relatives, who will need to monitor the patient's emotional state, preventing strong experiences, protecting him from offenders and ridicule from the outside. Ideally, a person with catalepsy attacks should always be under supervision. This will protect him from many troubles (bullying, injuries, tragedy), because it is impossible to calculate the moment of the onset of a cataleptic attack.

If a person does experience such an attack and it is prolonged, you need to understand that you are dealing with a living person who has certain physiological needs. A living organism cannot exist without food and nutrition. It is also clear that feeding a person in a motor stupor is only possible through a tube or infusion of liquids and solutions, which should be done in a hospital setting.

When a person comes to his senses, it is better for him to see his relatives next to him, which will have a calming effect on the excited psyche. Subsequently, a psychotherapist and a psychologist should work with the patient.

Be that as it may, the treatment of catalepsy is a long path to recovery, laid out by an experienced doctor taking into account the clinical picture of the underlying disease and the causes that cause attacks of motor stupor.

Prevention

Prevention of catalepsy is primarily the treatment of diseases that cause such an unusual symptom, as well as stabilization of one's psycho-emotional state by normalizing the daily routine with sufficient time for rest, using various relaxation techniques, doing yoga, etc. This will help avoid hysterics and strong shocks, which are usually followed by an attack of catalepsy.

Catalepsy is a syndrome that people have learned to treat as a disease over time, not as the devil's work. However, patients often become objects of ridicule and mockery from strangers. But no one is immune from the disease, and a person is often not to blame for his pathology. Perhaps the time has come not only to recognize the disease, but also to learn to treat sick people with a sufficient degree of sympathy and understanding, and not to show ignorance and primitive instincts.

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Forecast

It should be said right away that the prognosis for the treatment of catalepsy depends entirely on the cause of such an unusual condition, the severity of the disease causing cataleptic attacks, the timeliness of seeking medical help and the effectiveness of the treatment measures prescribed by the doctor.

The patient's emotional background during treatment and during the attacks themselves plays a major role in the prognosis of recovery. When a person is in a cataleptic stupor, he remains conscious, sees, hears and understands everything, so the discussion of his condition should be conducted extremely carefully, without ridicule, hostility, rudeness, which cause additional mental trauma, which only slows down the recovery process, although it does not itself cause an attack.

If a person is frozen in an uncomfortable position, do not try to force him into a position that is more decent in your opinion. This brings unnecessary worries to the patient. The person feels the attitude towards himself, because he is not unconscious. When the change of position is carried out for the benefit of the patient gently and carefully, in order to comfortably seat or lay him down, the patient perceives this as care for himself and calms down.