Automatism (medicine)
Encyclopedia
In medicine
, automatism refers to a set of brief unconscious
behaviors. These typically last for several seconds to minutes or sometimes longer, a time during which the subject is unaware of his/her actions. This type of automatic behaviour often occurs in certain types of epilepsy, such as complex partial seizure
s in those with temporal lobe epilepsy
, or as a side effect
of certain medications, such as zolpidem
.
s, such as finger rubbing, lip smacking, chewing, or swallowing
, or more complex actions, such as sleepwalking
behaviors. Others may include speech, which may or may not be coherent or sensible. The subject may or may not remain conscious otherwise throughout the episode. Those who remain conscious may be fully aware of their other actions at the time, but unaware of their automatism.
In some more complex automatisms, the subject enters into the behaviors of sleepwalking
while fully awake up until the moment it starts. In these episodes, which can last for longer periods of time, the subject proceeds to engage in activities s/he routinely performs, such as cooking, showering, or driving along a familiar route, or may even carry on conversation. Following the episode, the subject regains consciousness, often feeling disoriented, and has no memory of the incident.
medication.
Automatism in progress cannot be stopped without advanced medical intervention, which may become necessary in rare instances when it lasts longer than 10 minutes with no sign of stopping. Witnesses should allow the subject to exhibit the automatic behavior and not restrain him/her unless failing to do so would be hazardous. Removing objects that person may use harmfully, such as knobs from a stove or car keys is recommended.
Automatism itself is medically harmless, and unlike other seizure types, the subject's actions are less likely to result in physical injury in the subject or others. While the subject is likely to have his/her eyes open at the time and is able to see the surrounding environment (unless blind), she/he may or may not be able to respond to verbal commands from others regarding his/her actions.
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, automatism refers to a set of brief unconscious
Unconscious mind
The unconscious mind is a term coined by the 18th century German romantic philosopher Friedrich Schelling and later introduced into English by the poet and essayist Samuel Taylor Coleridge...
behaviors. These typically last for several seconds to minutes or sometimes longer, a time during which the subject is unaware of his/her actions. This type of automatic behaviour often occurs in certain types of epilepsy, such as complex partial seizure
Complex partial seizure
A complex partial seizure is an epileptic seizure that is associated with bilateral cerebral hemisphere involvement and causes impairment of awareness or responsiveness, i.e. loss of consciousness.-Presentation:...
s in those with temporal lobe epilepsy
Temporal lobe epilepsy
Temporal lobe epilepsy a.k.a. Psychomotor epilepsy, is a form of focal epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures. Over 40 types of epilepsies are known. They fall into two main categories: partial-onset epilepsies and generalized-onset epilepsies...
, or as a side effect
Adverse effect
In medicine, an adverse effect is a harmful and undesired effect resulting from a medication or other intervention such as surgery.An adverse effect may be termed a "side effect", when judged to be secondary to a main or therapeutic effect. If it results from an unsuitable or incorrect dosage or...
of certain medications, such as zolpidem
Zolpidem
Zolpidem is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as well as some brain disorders. It is a short-acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class that potentiates gamma-aminobutyric acid , an inhibitory neurotransmitter, by binding to GABAA...
.
Variations
There are varying degrees of automatism. Some may include simple gestureGesture
A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication in which visible bodily actions communicate particular messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body...
s, such as finger rubbing, lip smacking, chewing, or swallowing
Swallowing
Swallowing, known scientifically as deglutition, is the process in the human or animal body that makes something pass from the mouth, to the pharynx, and into the esophagus, while shutting the epiglottis. If this fails and the object goes through the trachea, then choking or pulmonary aspiration...
, or more complex actions, such as sleepwalking
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a sleep disorder belonging to the parasomnia family. Sleepwalkers arise from the slow wave sleep stage in a state of low consciousness and perform activities that are usually performed during a state of full consciousness...
behaviors. Others may include speech, which may or may not be coherent or sensible. The subject may or may not remain conscious otherwise throughout the episode. Those who remain conscious may be fully aware of their other actions at the time, but unaware of their automatism.
In some more complex automatisms, the subject enters into the behaviors of sleepwalking
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a sleep disorder belonging to the parasomnia family. Sleepwalkers arise from the slow wave sleep stage in a state of low consciousness and perform activities that are usually performed during a state of full consciousness...
while fully awake up until the moment it starts. In these episodes, which can last for longer periods of time, the subject proceeds to engage in activities s/he routinely performs, such as cooking, showering, or driving along a familiar route, or may even carry on conversation. Following the episode, the subject regains consciousness, often feeling disoriented, and has no memory of the incident.
Treatment for automatism
Like most seizure disorders, most people who suffer from automatism can have the condition completely or partially controlled by an anticonvulsantAnticonvulsant
The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The goal of an...
medication.
Automatism in progress cannot be stopped without advanced medical intervention, which may become necessary in rare instances when it lasts longer than 10 minutes with no sign of stopping. Witnesses should allow the subject to exhibit the automatic behavior and not restrain him/her unless failing to do so would be hazardous. Removing objects that person may use harmfully, such as knobs from a stove or car keys is recommended.
Automatism itself is medically harmless, and unlike other seizure types, the subject's actions are less likely to result in physical injury in the subject or others. While the subject is likely to have his/her eyes open at the time and is able to see the surrounding environment (unless blind), she/he may or may not be able to respond to verbal commands from others regarding his/her actions.