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Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Functional (Psychogenic) Movement Disorders
Vibhash D Sharma1, Randi Jones1, Stewart A Factor1
1Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Journal of Movement Disorders
|January 27, 2017
Summary
Psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDP) improved functional (psychogenic) movement disorders (FMD) in 60% of patients. Identifying precipitants and patient insight were key to good outcomes in this challenging condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Psychotherapy
Background:
- Functional (psychogenic) movement disorders (FMD) have limited established treatments.
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDP) is a potential therapeutic avenue for FMD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical outcomes of psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDP) in patients diagnosed with functional (psychogenic) movement disorders (FMD).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 30 FMD patients referred for PDP between 2008-2014.
- Evaluation of clinical outcomes based on PDP treatment response.
Main Results:
- 60% of patients (18/30) experienced good or modest improvement.
- Involuntary shaking/jerky movements and tremor were the most common FMD types.
- Good outcomes correlated with identified precipitants and patient insight into the diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDP) shows promise in treating functional (psychogenic) movement disorders (FMD), with 60% showing improvement.
- Heterogeneous causes of FMD necessitate psychological approaches like PDP.
- Further research with larger, prospective, placebo-controlled studies is needed to optimize treatment prediction.
Keywords:
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