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Popkirov S, Jungilligens J, Michaelis R. [Understanding and explaining functional movement disorders]. DER NERVENARZT 2024; 95:499-506. [PMID: 38363298 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-024-01619-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Functional movement disorders are not uncommon in neurological consultations, hospitals and emergency departments. Although the disorder can usually be recognized clinically, the communication of the diagnosis is often unsatisfactory. Those affected are indirectly accused of a lack of insight or openness but it is often the doctors who fail to formulate a coherent and comprehensible explanation of the underlying disorder. In this review an integrative model for the development of functional movement disorders is presented, which places the motor (and nonmotor) symptoms in a neuroscientific light. In addition, explanations and metaphors are presented that have proven helpful in conveying an understanding of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stoyan Popkirov
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.
| | - Johannes Jungilligens
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Deutschland
| | - Rosa Michaelis
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Deutschland
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Armstrong-Javors A, Realbuto E, Dy-Hollins ME, Scharf JM. Increase in Functional Tic Presentations in Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Minority Youth During Coronavirus Disease 2019. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 155:182-186. [PMID: 38677240 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional tic disorders are among the least common functional movement disorders, but their prevalence rose during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although female adolescents develop functional neurological disorders at higher rates than males, investigations into sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) status of these patients are limited. METHODS We completed a retrospective, cross-sectional time series examining the incidence of new-onset functional tic disorders in youth presenting to the Massachusetts General Hospital Movement Disorder clinics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected by searching for relevant International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 diagnostic codes in youth aged nine to 26 years using a hospital-wide data repository. Individual cases were reviewed for inclusion based on clinical criteria and expert consensus. RESULTS The prevalence of functional tic presentations in youth rose 8.6-fold from pre- to postpandemic levels (Fisher exact test P < 0.001), whereas the prevalence of developmental tic presentations pre- and postpandemic remained stable (114 vs 112). SOGI minority youth comprised 37% of those with functional tics (total n = 19). Ninety five percent of patients with functional tics identified as female, with 10% of these identifying as transgender. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm previously demonstrated dramatic rises in functional tic presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic and, more notably, reveal a strong association with SOGI minority status. We highlight the potential link between functional tic disorders and SOGI minority status. Providing a safe and supportive clinical environment and addressing stress linked to SOGI minority status may help to improve patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evan Realbuto
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Clinical Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
| | | | - Jeremiah M Scharf
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Cavanna AE, Spini L, Ferrari S, Purpura G, Riva A, Nacinovich R, Seri S. Functional Tic-like Behaviors: From the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Post-Pandemic Era. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1106. [PMID: 38891181 PMCID: PMC11171709 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12111106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been multiple reports about an unforeseen surge in adolescents and young adults exhibiting sudden onset functional tic-like behaviors. This phenomenon has been mainly associated with the female gender and occasionally after exposure to social media content featuring similar patterns of functional tic-like behaviors. A significant portion of these individuals have been directed to specialist clinics for movement disorders with initial misdiagnoses of late-onset refractory Tourette syndrome. Distinguishing between rapid onset functional tic-like behaviors and neurodevelopmental tics as part of Tourette syndrome can be challenging; however, the differential diagnosis is facilitated by focusing on specific clinical and demographic factors, which we have explored in a systematic literature review. Compared to neurodevelopmental tics, functional tic-like behaviors typically present with a more abrupt and intense manifestation of symptoms, onset at a later age, higher prevalence among females, inability to suppress tics, coexisting anxiety and depression, and sometimes a history of exposure to social media content portraying tic-like behaviors of a similar nature. This novel manifestation of a functional neurological disorder may thus be viewed as an emerging neuropsychiatric condition potentially triggered/exacerbated by the psychosocial repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Eugenio Cavanna
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, National Centre for Mental Health, BSMHFT and University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2FG, UK
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston Brain Centre, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Spini
- Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Ferrari
- Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Purpura
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Riva
- Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Renata Nacinovich
- Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Seri
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston Brain Centre, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
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Müller‐Vahl KR, Pisarenko A, Fremer C, Haas M, Jakubovski E, Szejko N. Functional Tic-Like Behaviors: A Common Comorbidity in Patients with Tourette Syndrome. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2024; 11:227-237. [PMID: 38468554 PMCID: PMC10928340 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comorbid functional tic-like behaviors (FTB) have been described only rarely in patients with Tourette syndrome (TS). OBJECTIVES We present the first large sample of patients suffering from TS and FTB to raise awareness of this clinical presentation and to guide how to differentiate one from the other. METHODS We analyzed clinical data of 71 patients (n = 27 [38.0%] female, mean age: 21.5, range: 11-55) with TS + FTB. RESULTS In the majority of patients, FTB started abruptly on average 15 years after tic onset with "treatment-resistant" complex movements and ("coprophenomena-like") vocalizations preceded by timely related psychological stressors. Psychological evaluation revealed evidence for internal conflicts (79%), emotional dysregulation (56%), and maintaining factors (70%). About one third of patients had a positive history for further medically unexplained symptoms. Compared to a large TS sample (n = 1032), patients with TS + FTB were more likely to be female, and presented significantly more common with "coprophenomena-like" symptoms, atypical influential factors, atypical descriptions of premonitory sensations, and higher rates of comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder and "self-injurious" behavior. CONCLUSIONS Based on our data it can be assumed that FTB is a common comorbidity in TS, similar to functional overlay in other movement disorders and epilepsy. Before classifying a patient as suffering from treatment-resistant TS, FTB should be ruled out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten R. Müller‐Vahl
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and PsychotherapyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Anna Pisarenko
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and PsychotherapyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Carolin Fremer
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and PsychotherapyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Martina Haas
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and PsychotherapyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Ewgeni Jakubovski
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and PsychotherapyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Natalia Szejko
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and PsychotherapyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
- Department of BioethicsMedical University of WarsawWarsawPoland
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Mittmann G, Schrank B, Steiner-Hofbauer V. TV Series in Mainstream Media Depicting Autism and Self-Diagnosis of Autism in a General Population of Young Adults. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06150-z. [PMID: 37847319 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06150-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The prevalence of autism diagnoses has increased in recent years. The portrayal of autistic characters in mainstream media, such as TV series, may be a contributing factor. This study investigated whether young adults who consume media featuring autistic characters are more likely to self-diagnose with autism. METHODS 348 participants filled out an online questionnaire exploring their media consumption, subjective diagnosis of autism and objective indicators of autism using an Emotion Recognition Task. RESULTS Results from linear regression analysis indicated a significant correlation between media consumption and self-diagnosis, while valence of the series and objective diagnosis did not have a significant influence. The study found no gender differences. CONCLUSION The results suggest a need for further research on the relationship between media consumption and self-diagnosis, including for other forms of media beyond TV series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Mittmann
- Research Centre Transitional Psychiatry, Karl Landsteiner University for Health Sciences, Krems, Austria.
| | - Beate Schrank
- Research Centre Transitional Psychiatry, Karl Landsteiner University for Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, University Hospital Tulln, Tulln, Austria
| | - Verena Steiner-Hofbauer
- Research Centre Transitional Psychiatry, Karl Landsteiner University for Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
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Cavanna AE, Purpura G, Riva A, Nacinovich R, Seri S. Neurodevelopmental versus functional tics: A controlled study. J Neurol Sci 2023; 451:120725. [PMID: 37421881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An unprecedented increase in newly developed functional tics, mainly in young females, has been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. We set out to complement existing case series with the largest controlled study to date on the clinical phenomenology of functional tics versus neurodevelopmental tics. METHODS Data from 166 patients were collected at a specialist clinic for tic disorders during a three-year period overlapping with the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023). We compared the clinical features of patients who developed functional tics during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 83) to patients with Tourette syndrome matched for age and gender (N = 83). RESULTS Female adolescents and young adults accounted for 86% of the clinical sample of patients with functional tics, who were less likely to report a family history of tic disorders than their matched controls with Tourette syndrome. Co-morbidity profiles were significantly different: anxiety and other functional neurological disorders were more strongly associated with functional tics, whereas attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder and tic-related obsessive-compulsive behaviors co-occurred more frequently with neurodevelopmental tics. Overall, absence of tic-related obsessive-compulsive behaviors (t = 8.096; p < 0.001) and absence of a family history of tics (t = 5.111; p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of the diagnosis of functional tics. Compared to neurodevelopmental tics, functional tics were more likely to present acutely/subacutely at a later age (21 versus 7 years), without a clear rostro-caudal progression. Coprophenomena, self-injurious behaviors, and complex clinical manifestations such as blocking tics, throwing tics, and tic attacks, were all over-represented in the functional group. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide robust confirmation of both patient-related variables and tic characteristics contributing to the differential diagnosis between functional tics developed during the pandemic and neurodevelopmental tics reported by patients with Tourette syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea E Cavanna
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, BSMHFT and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology and University College London, London, United Kingdom; School of Health and Life Sciences, Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom; School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giulia Purpura
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Riva
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Renata Nacinovich
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Stefano Seri
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Van Meter A, Agrawal N. LovesCompany: evaluating the safety and feasibility of a mental health-focused online community for adolescents. J Child Adolesc Ment Health 2022; 34:83-100. [PMID: 38504652 DOI: 10.2989/17280583.2023.2283030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Background: Adolescents are at risk for mental health (MH) disorders but are unlikely to seek services and may be reluctant to talk about their MH. An anonymous, online MH-focused community could help reduce suffering. However, online forums can also promote negative behaviours such as cyberbullying. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of an online community - LovesCompany - to improve MH outcomes for adolescents.Methods: American adolescents (14-17 years) were recruited through social media. Eligible participants were randomised to LovesCompany or a placebo MH resource site. Outcomes were assessed every other week for six months, and at twelve months. Multilevel models assessed group differences in depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. A subgroup of participants participated in qualitative interviews.Results: Participants (N = 202) were mostly female (70%), White non-Hispanic (69%), and cisgender (80%). There were no instances of inappropriate behaviour such as bullying or posting explicit content. Symptoms for both groups improved over time. Participants appreciated hearing others' experiences and valued the opportunity to offer support.Conclusion: Although adolescents are often resistant to MH treatment, they appear to be interested in anonymous, online, MH-focused conversation, and can benefit from giving and seeking support. Finding a balance between an appealing user experience, ethical considerations, and resource needs is challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Van Meter
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, USA
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Institute for Behavioral Science, Manhasset, USA
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Uniondale, USA
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, New York, USA
| | - Neha Agrawal
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, New York, USA
- Community West Treatment Center, Los Angeles, USA
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