Early maladaptive schemas in functional movement disorders: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Background:

• Early maladaptive schemas (EMS) are recognized psychological precursors for various disorders.
• Their role in Functional Movement Disorders (FMD) remains underexplored.
• This study investigates EMS intensity in FMD patients relative to Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Organic Dystonia (OD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the intensity of EMS in patients diagnosed with FMD, PD, and OD.
• To analyze the correlation between EMS intensity and the severity of motor symptoms, anxiety, depression, dissociative symptoms, and history of childhood trauma.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form 3 (YSQ-S3, French version) administered via mail.
• Compared eighteen schemas between FMD, PD, and OD groups using linear and linear mixed models.
• Examined associations with modified Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), and Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20) scores.

Main Results:

• The study included 32 FMD, 28 PD, and 20 OD patients.
• FMD patients showed significantly higher scores in the Excessive Responsibility and High Standards schema domain compared to PD and OD groups (p < 0.001).
• Self-Sacrifice schema scores were significantly more intense in the FMD group compared to PD and OD groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Patients with FMD reported a higher intensity of Self-Sacrifice schema scores.
• These findings suggest that the Self-Sacrifice schema may act as a significant predisposing and/or perpetuating factor in the development and maintenance of FMD.