Psychomotor Impairment

What is psychomotor impairment?

Psychomotor impairment involves slowed thinking and speech and decreased physical movements. “Psycho” means “relating to the mind,” and “motor” means “movement.” So, “psychomotor” relates to the connections between your mind and actions.

Psychomotor impairment is mainly a symptom of major depressive disorder (clinical depression), or MDD. But not everyone with depression has this symptom.

If you have psychomotor impairment, it may feel like you’re moving — and thinking — in slow motion. It may be difficult to do activities that normally require little effort, like getting out of bed, preparing a simple meal or holding a conversation. Getting help for psychomotor impairment and/or major depressive disorder may seem impossible. But it’s important to reach out to a healthcare provider.

What does psychomotor impairment look and feel like?

Signs of psychomotor impairment can include:

• Reduction in overall activity levels
• Walking slowly or sluggishly
• Slumped posture
• Reduced coordination
• Reduced facial expressions
• Reduced body language (like hand gestures)
• Avoiding eye contact
• Talking less than you usually do
• Slow, soft speech (you may speak in a monotone, or a flat, expressionless tone)

Psychomotor impairment can also slow down your mental functions. You may have difficulty:

• Focusing
• Putting thoughts together
• Reacting quickly
• Remembering
• Problem-solving
• Making plans

Psychomotor impairment can get in the way of everyday tasks. It may feel very difficult or impossible to:

• Get out of bed
• Brush your teeth
• Get dressed
• Prepare a meal and eat
• Take a shower or bath
• Complete household chores, like cleaning
• Socialize

If you or a loved one has these signs, it’s important to seek care. Reach out to a healthcare provider or a mental health specialist (like a psychologist or psychiatrist).

What causes psychomotor impairment?

Psychomotor impairment is most commonly a feature of major depressive disorder (MDD). MDD is a mental health condition that causes a persistently low or depressed mood and a loss of interest in activities that once brought joy.

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of MDD and psychomotor impairment. But they think changes in brain chemistry play a significant role. Specifically, an imbalance of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, likely contributes to the development of MDD. Difficult life circumstances, like losses or traumatic events, often trigger MDD in people with vulnerable brain chemistry.

Some people with MDD have psychomotor agitation instead of psychomotor impairment. Psychomotor agitation is essentially the opposite of psychomotor impairment. With psychomotor agitation, you have increased physical movements due to a feeling of inner tension. This may be more likely in children and adolescents with MDD.

Psychomotor impairment may also be a feature of:

• Depressive episodes of bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Certain types of brain damage

What is the treatment for psychomotor impairment?

Treatment for psychomotor impairment involves treating the underlying condition — most commonly, MDD. Various treatment strategies can help manage MDD, like psychotherapy (talk therapy), antidepressants and other therapies.

But studies show that if you have psychomotor impairment with MDD, certain treatments may be especially effective, like:

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Together, you and your healthcare provider will come up with a treatment plan that works best for you. You may have to try more than one type of treatment before you see an improvement in your symptoms. Try to stay committed to your treatment plan.

What are the possible complications of not treating psychomotor impairment?

Severe psychomotor impairment may lead to complications like malnutrition (due to a lack of eating) and overall self-neglect. These situations can be harmful to your health. Because of this, you may need to be admitted to a hospital for care.

Untreated psychomotor impairment and MDD also increase your risk of suicide. If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, dial 988 on your phone to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Someone is available to help you 24/7.