Fnd and TS

Functional Movement Disorder (FMD) happens when you experience involuntary movements within the body. • FMD is often prevalent within individuals who also have TS, however this often goes undiagnosed due to the similarities of the two. • Both TS & FMD have the kinematics of voluntary movements (although TS movements can appear more 'normal').

They both worsen with attention, are suggestable and distractible.

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They both also have common co-occuring conditions such as mood and anxiety disorders. • However they are different due to the following:

FMD's onset is usually in adulthood, these symptoms come on suddenly and in full force, symptoms usually are the same. Its common for tics to appear after a psychological or physical event. (Note: This does not rule out children - my son has FMD too age 11 at diagnosis)

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FMD movements are completely unwilled and involuntary unlike TS movements which although unwanted, there is some element of control over them (suppressible)

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FMD rarely respond to anti-tic medication

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FMD movements rarely affect the head, its more common to affect the body and limbs.

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FMD movements are not subject to a premonitory urge

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As you can see the difference really is very small.

Tourette syndrome. This is a neurological condition that starts between childhood and teenage years and is associated with repetitive movements (motor tics) and vocal sounds (vocal tics).

-Tremor. This movement disorder causes involuntary rhythmic shaking of parts of the body, such as the hands, head or other parts of the body. The most common type is essential tremor.

-Wilson's disease. This is a rare inherited disorder that causes excessive amounts of copper to build up in the body, causing neurological problems

So with FND Tourette's is a very common diagnosis as well joint diagnosis with FND its very common to have both.

So a little bit about Tourettese

What is Tourette syndrome?

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder. It causes repeated, involuntary physical movements and vocal outbursts. The exact cause is unknown.

Tourette syndrome is a tic syndrome. Tics are involuntary muscle spasms. They consist of abrupt intermittent twitches of a group of muscles.

The most frequent forms of tics involve:

blinking

sniffing

grunting

throat clearing

grimacing

shoulder movements

head movements

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), about 200,000 people in the United States exhibit severe symptoms of Tourette syndrome.

As many as 1 in 100 Americans experience milder symptoms. The syndrome affects males nearly four times more than females.

What are the symptoms of Tourette syndrome?

Symptoms can vary from one person to another. They usually appear between the ages of 3 and 9 years old, starting with small muscle tics of your head and in your neck. Eventually, other tics may appear in your trunk and limbs.

People diagnosed with Tourette syndrome often have both a motor tic and a vocal tic.

The symptoms tend to worsen during periods of:

excitement

stress

anxiety

They’re generally most severe during your early teen years.

Tics are classified by type, as in motor or vocal. Further classification includes simple or complex tics.

Simple tics usually involve only one muscle group and are brief. Complex tics are coordinated patterns of movements or vocalizations that involve several muscle groups.

Motor tics

Simple motor ticsComplex motor ticseye blinkingsmelling or touching objectseye dartingmaking obscene gesturessticking the tongue outbending or twisting your bodynose twitchingstepping in certain patternsmouth movementshoppinghead jerkingshoulder shrugging

Vocal tics

Simple vocal ticsComplex vocal ticshiccuppingrepeating your own words or phrasesgruntingrepeating other people’s words or phrasescoughingusing vulgar or obscene wordsthroat clearingbarking