Which of the following accurately describes the state of catalepsy?

Catalepsy is characterized by a state in which a person remains unresponsive to external stimuli and exhibits rigidity in their limbs. This condition can result in a trance-like state where the individual appears to be in a fixed posture, often maintaining any position their limbs are placed in and showing a lack of response to pain or distress. This unresponsiveness is a key feature that distinguishes catalepsy from other conditions that involve varying levels of responsiveness or muscle tone.

The rigidity of limbs in catalepsy can lead to extraordinary postures being held for extended periods, as the person's muscle tone remains excessively stiff, and voluntary movement is absent. Understanding catalepsy is important in a clinical setting, particularly in relation to its differentiation from other altered states of consciousness or muscle control disorders.