Catalepsy is a condition that occurs in a variety of physical and psychological disorders and it is characterised by lack of response to external stimuli, muscular rigidity and fixity of posture, so that the limb remain in whatever position they are placed. There are several causes for catalepsy like Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, cocaine with drawl, schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics, treatment with inhibitors of adrenergic neurotransmitters, such as reserpine or anaesthesia with ketamine. The cataleptic person has rigid body and limbs staying in the same position when moved (waxy flexibility), no responses, loss of muscle control and slowing down of body functions, such as breathing. There is a lot of confusion about some terms used like: catalepsy, cataplexy, narcolepsy and catatonia. This article aims to clarify this confusion by explaining and exemplifying the terms. Also it presents a review of the etymological origin of catalepsy, its uses in the past, in the literature, both medical and fiction one, but also nowadays in movies, art and texts. The term catalepsy appears to have been used quite frequently in the last centuries in the work of great intellectuals. Apart from the fact that when you write about this disease you must have some knowledge about it, it also can make the plot much more interesting and attractive to the public, regardless of age and social area. Nowadays, this term is not so much used as a disease, but much more as a symptom in different psychiatric and neurological conditions that may or may not be reversible or treatable.