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The clinical features of psychogenic movement disorders resembling tics

José Fidel Baizabal-Carvallo1, Joseph Jankovic

  • 1Department of Neurology, Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine, , Houston, Texas, USA.

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|November 22, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Psychogenic tics are uncommon in patients with psychogenic movement disorders (PMDs), affecting 4.9%. Differentiating these psychogenic tics from Tourette syndrome relies on clinical features like age and sex.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Movement Disorders
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Psychogenic movement disorders (PMDs) present diagnostic challenges compared to organic abnormal movements.
  • Differentiating PMDs from other neurological conditions requires careful clinical evaluation.

Observation:

  • This study investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of PMDs that mimic tics.
  • Nine patients with psychogenic tics were identified over a 3.5-year period, representing 4.9% of new PMD evaluations.

Findings:

  • Patients with psychogenic tics were older at onset (mean 34.1 years) and more frequently female compared to those with Tourette syndrome.
  • Key differentiating features included lack of premonitory sensations, absence of tic history, inability to suppress movements, and co-occurrence with other PMDs or pseudoseizures.

Implications:

  • Movements resembling tics occur in a subset of PMD patients.
  • Recognizing specific clinical features aids in distinguishing psychogenic tics from organic tic disorders like Tourette syndrome.
Keywords:
MOVEMENT DISORDERSNEUROPSYCHIATRYSOMATISATION DISORDERTOURETTE SYNDROME

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