Catatonia can be distinguished from other behavioral syndromes by a recognizable cluster of clinical features. Catatonia is sufficiently common to warrant classification as an independent syndrome. It can be reliably identified, has a typical course when appropriately treated, responds to specific treatments, and is worsened by other treatments. It is associated with many pathophysiologic processes and most often with mood disorder. These findings, which are consistent with established methods of defining distinct diagnostic groupings, support consideration of catatonia as an individual category in psychiatric diagnostic systems.

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We present results from three studies on the development and validation of the Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ), a self-report measure comprising items from five cognitive domains; language, visuo-perceptual, verbal memory, visual memory, and attention. In Study 1, we determined the content relevance of the questionnaire items. In Study 2, we assessed the basic psychometric properties (i.e., internal consistency and test-retest reliability) of the MASQ in 118 individuals without neurologic or psychiatric disorder, aged 25 to 88 years. In Study 3 we provide validity data for the MASQ by comparing the ratings of normals to people with unilateral temporal-lobe epilepsy, and examining the relationship of self-report to objective test performance. The potential use of the MASQ to study the neurologic and psychological correlates of accuracy and unawareness in self-appraisal across different cognitive domains and various clinical groups is discussed.