Akinetic mutism

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Akinetic mutism is a medical condition in which patients tend to neither move (akinesia) nor speak (mutism). It is the most severe disorder of diminished motivation. Akinetic mutism was first described in 1941 as a mental state where patients lack the ability to move or speak. However, their eyes may follow their observer or be diverted by sound. Patients lack most motor functions such as speech, facial expressions, and gestures, but demonstrate apparent alertness. They exhibit reduced activity and slowness, and can speak in whispered monosyllables. Patients often show visual fixation on their examiner, move their eyes in response to an auditory stimulus, or move after often repeated commands. Patients with akinetic mutism are not paralyzed, but lack the volition to move. Many patients describe that as soon as they "will" or attempt a movement, a "counter-will" or "resistance" rises up to meet them.