Astasia-abasia
Astasia-abasia is a medical condition characterized by the inability to stand or walk despite having the physical capability to do so. This condition is often associated with neurological disorders and can be a manifestation of conversion disorder or hysteria.
Presentation[edit | edit source]
Individuals with astasia-abasia exhibit a peculiar gait disturbance. They may appear to stagger wildly in all directions and are unable to maintain an upright posture. Despite this, they do not fall and can often perform other movements normally when seated or lying down. This paradoxical movement pattern is a hallmark of the condition.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Astasia-abasia is typically linked to psychogenic factors. It is often seen in patients with conversion disorder, where psychological stressors manifest as physical symptoms. Other potential causes include neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and cerebellar ataxia.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of astasia-abasia is primarily clinical. A thorough medical history and physical examination are essential. Neurological examination often reveals no abnormalities, which helps differentiate it from other organic causes of gait disturbances. Psychiatric evaluation may be necessary to identify underlying psychological factors.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment of astasia-abasia involves addressing the underlying cause. In cases related to conversion disorder, psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are commonly used. Physical therapy may also be beneficial to help patients regain normal gait patterns. In cases with an organic cause, treatment is directed towards the underlying neurological condition.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for astasia-abasia varies depending on the underlying cause. Patients with psychogenic astasia-abasia often have a good prognosis with appropriate psychiatric treatment. However, if the condition is due to a progressive neurological disorder, the prognosis may be less favorable.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
 | This article about a neurology is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
.svg){kind=icon} | This psychiatry-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
