Pediatric Movement Disorders - Psychogenic Disorders

Treatment

Psychogenic disorders can be very difficult to treat. Because they represent a lack of insight, questioning of the child and initial psychotherapy evaluation may reveal no obvious symptoms beyond the abnormal movement. Treatment is important, however, since psychogenic disorders can be as disabling as any other neurologic disease. In some cases, an acute life event or stressor can be resolved in a way that allows the movements to subside. In other cases, symptoms may continue for many years despite intensive treatment. Psychogenic movement disorders can be a very severe and disabling form of psychiatric disease; in the most severe cases, these disorders may require psychiatric hospitalization.