Psychogenic movement disorders in children

A common problem in neurology is the existence of disorders that present with neurologic symptoms but do not have an identifiable neurologic basis. These disorders are often thought to have a psychologic basis. Abnormal movements are among the most frequent symptoms in psychogenic neurologic disorders. Although these disorders have not been studied extensively in children, clinical experience in our busy pediatric movement disorders clinic and many case reports support their existence in this age group. Elements of history, physical examination, and therapeutic intervention must be combined to construct a clear diagnosis of a psychogenic movement disorder. This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders and includes two illustrative cases. Review of the current literature reveals a need for prospective trials to provide a solid foundation for better diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.