Psychomotor retardation is the visible slowing of movements, speech, and thinking that accompanies moderate or severe depressive episodes. The person walks and talks more slowly, has difficulty initiating actions, and processes information more slowly. It reflects the impact of depression on neuromotor and activation circuits.
Concept origin
Psychomotor retardation was described by Kraepelin as part of the melancholic picture in the early twentieth century. Parker and Hadzi-Pavlovic (1996) developed observational scales to quantify it. It is a severity marker and predictor of antidepressant treatment response.
How it manifests
- ▸ Noticeably slower movements and gestures than usual
- ▸ Slow speech with long pauses and muted voice
- ▸ Difficulty initiating tasks even when wanting to do them
Therapeutic approach
Behavioral activation is especially relevant when there is psychomotor inhibition: activity goals must be very small initially (getting up, showering, walking 5 minutes). Aerobic exercise has direct evidence as an activator of the motor system and neuroplasticity.
Related concepts
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