A woman in Thailand revived inside her coffin before cremation, reigniting interest in catalepsy, a neurological disorder linked to the origins of wakes. This condition causes muscle rigidity and loss of mobility, mimicking death. Experts associate it with epilepsy and narcolepsy.
In late November, a man traveled 500 kilometers from northern Thailand to Wat Rat Prakhong Tham temple near Bangkok, carrying his sister's body in a coffin. She had been bedridden for two years and unresponsive for two days, leading her brother to believe she had died. But as temple staff prepared for cremation, they heard noises from inside. Upon opening the coffin, they found her alive.
Pairat Soodthoop, the temple's general and financial manager, described the scene: “I saw her slightly opening her eyes and hitting the side of the coffin. She must have been hitting for quite a while,” he told AP news agency.
This incident highlights catalepsy, a neurological disorder marked by reduced voluntary movement and prolonged maintenance of fixed postures, even uncomfortable ones, while preserving consciousness. It is not a standalone disease but a symptom of conditions like epilepsy, narcolepsy, or psychotic disorders, per the Merck Manual and MedlinePlus.
Symptoms include temporary loss of voluntary mobility, marked muscle rigidity, reduced response to external stimuli, and awareness without the ability to react. Causes range from partial epileptic seizures and antipsychotic medications to extreme stress.
Diagnosis relies on neurological evaluations, medication reviews, electroencephalograms, and sleep studies, with no specific exclusive test. Treatment targets the underlying cause: antiepileptic drugs for epilepsy, adjustments for narcolepsy, or psychotherapy for mental disorders.
Historically, catalepsy contributed to the origins of wakes. UNAM notes that, without medical certification of death, bodies were watched for three days to check for reactions. In the Middle Ages, bells tied to the fingers of the deceased were used, though unreliable. In Mexico, rumors persist about actor Joaquín Pardavé, despite his family's denial.
