Background: Movement disorders encompass a broad spectrum of hyperkinetic and hypokinetic conditions. Distinguishing functional movement disorders (FMD) from non-functional (organic) movement disorders is often challenging due to overlapping clinical features. To assess the clinical characteristics and diagno Aim: stic patterns of patients presenting with various movement disorders in a tertiary care psychiatric setting. A cross Methods: -sectional, hospital-based study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Navi Mumbai, including 50 patients aged 18-65 years with involuntary movements. Patients were classified into FMD and non-FMD groups based on DSM-5 criteria. Detailed clinical evaluations included assessments of psychiatric history, medical comorbidities, substance use, and family history. Of the 50 patients, 15 (30%) were diagnosed with FMD, 29 (58%) with non-FMD, and 6 ( Results: 12%) exhibited overlapping features. Extrapyramidal symptoms (37%) and alcohol withdrawal seizures (20%) were the most common non-FMDs. A significant gender difference was observed, with females predominantly affected by FMD and males by non-FMD. Rare etiologies like mercury poisoning, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, and psychiatric conditions presenting with movement symptoms were identified. The study highlights the clinical Conclusion: complexities in differentiating FMD from non-FMD. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management are critical to improving outcomes. Awareness of overlapping features and rare causes can reduce misdiagnosis and guide effective treatment strategies.
Mewlani et al. (Tue,) studied this question.