catalepsy

/ˌkædlˈɛpsi/

Other forms: catalepsies

Catalepsy is a rare disorder that causes a person's body to become rigid and temporarily unable to move.

Causes of catalepsy may include Parkinson's disease or certain psychiatric disorders. The Greek root of catalepsy is katalepsis, "seizing or grasping," and when someone is in this state, they do seem to be seized by some invisible force: Their limbs become fixed in place, and the person enters a trancelike state. While often associated with nervous system disorders, catalepsy can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Definitions of catalepsy

1. noun

   a medical condition characterized by loss of voluntary motion, rigidity of muscles, and failure to react to stimuli
   type of:

   hypersomnia

   an inability to stay awake