| Disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence. |
Stereotypic Movement Disorder--
Stereotypic movement disorder is a disorder of childhood involving repetitive, nonfunctional
motor behavior (e.g., hand waving or head banging), that markedly interferes with normal activities
or results in bodily injury, and persists for four weeks or longer. The behavior must not be due to
the direct effects of a substance or another medical condition. In cases when mental retardation is
present, the stereotypic or self-injurious behavior must be of sufficient severity to become the focus
of treatment. The behavior is not better explained as a compulsion (e.g., OCD), a tic, a stereotypy
as part of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or hair pulling (trichotillomania).[1]
Former versions of the DSM (Diagnostic Manual and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) used the
term Stereotypy/Habit Disorder to designate repetitive habit behaviors that caused impairment to
the child.
The repetitive movements that are common with this disorder include thumb sucking, nail biting,
nose-picking, breath holding, bruxism, head banging, rocking/rhythmic movements, self-biting,
self-hitting, picking at the skin, hand shaking, hand waving, and mouthing of objects.
Childhood habits can appear in various forms, and many people engage in some habits during their
lifetime. Habits can range from relatively benign behaviors (e.g.; nail biting) to noticeable or self-
injurious behaviors, such as teeth grinding (bruxism). Many habits of childhood are a benign, normal
part of development, do not rise to the diagnostic level of a disorder, and typically remit without
treatment.
When stereotyped behaviors cause significant impairment in functioning, an evaluation for
stereotypic movement disorder is warranted. There are no specific tests for diagnosing this disorder,
although some tests may be ordered to rule out other conditions. Other conditions which feature
repetitive behaviors in the differential diagnosis include obsessive-compulsive disorder, tricho-
tillomania, vocal and tic disorders (e.g.; Tourette syndrome).
Although not necessary for the diagnosis, stereotypic movement disorder most often affects
children with mental retardation and developmental disorders. It is more common in boys, and can
occur at any age. The cause of this disorder is not known.
Stereotypic movement disorder is often misdiagnosed as tics or Tourette's. Unlike the tics of
Tourette's, which tend to onset around age six or seven, repetitive movements typically start before
age 2, are more bilateral than tics, consist of intense patterns of movement for longer runs than
tics. Tics are less likely to be stimulated by excitement. Children with Stereotypic movement disorder
do not always reported being bothered by the movements as a child with tics might.
Prognosis depends on the severity of the disorder. Recognizing symptoms early can help reduce the
risk of self-injury, which can be lessened with medications. Stereotypic movement disorder due to
head trauma may be permanent. If anxiety or affective disorders are present, the behaviors may
persist.[2]
References
1. ^ Stereotypic movement disorder. BehaveNet. Retrieved on 2007-08-27.
2. ^ PMID 8617696
* DSM-IV - DSM-IV criterion
* eMedicine - Excerpt from Childhood Habit Behaviors and Stereotypic Movement Disorder
* eMedicine - Childhood Habit Behaviors and Stereotypic Movement Disorder
* WebMD
* Roger Freeman, M.D., blog, former advisory board member of Tourette Syndrome Association.
Stereotypic movement disorder is a disorder of childhood involving repetitive, nonfunctional
motor behavior (e.g., hand waving or head banging), that markedly interferes with normal activities
or results in bodily injury, and persists for four weeks or longer. The behavior must not be due to
the direct effects of a substance or another medical condition. In cases when mental retardation is
present, the stereotypic or self-injurious behavior must be of sufficient severity to become the focus
of treatment. The behavior is not better explained as a compulsion (e.g., OCD), a tic, a stereotypy
as part of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or hair pulling (trichotillomania).[1]
Former versions of the DSM (Diagnostic Manual and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) used the
term Stereotypy/Habit Disorder to designate repetitive habit behaviors that caused impairment to
the child.
The repetitive movements that are common with this disorder include thumb sucking, nail biting,
nose-picking, breath holding, bruxism, head banging, rocking/rhythmic movements, self-biting,
self-hitting, picking at the skin, hand shaking, hand waving, and mouthing of objects.
Childhood habits can appear in various forms, and many people engage in some habits during their
lifetime. Habits can range from relatively benign behaviors (e.g.; nail biting) to noticeable or self-
injurious behaviors, such as teeth grinding (bruxism). Many habits of childhood are a benign, normal
part of development, do not rise to the diagnostic level of a disorder, and typically remit without
treatment.
When stereotyped behaviors cause significant impairment in functioning, an evaluation for
stereotypic movement disorder is warranted. There are no specific tests for diagnosing this disorder,
although some tests may be ordered to rule out other conditions. Other conditions which feature
repetitive behaviors in the differential diagnosis include obsessive-compulsive disorder, tricho-
tillomania, vocal and tic disorders (e.g.; Tourette syndrome).
Although not necessary for the diagnosis, stereotypic movement disorder most often affects
children with mental retardation and developmental disorders. It is more common in boys, and can
occur at any age. The cause of this disorder is not known.
Stereotypic movement disorder is often misdiagnosed as tics or Tourette's. Unlike the tics of
Tourette's, which tend to onset around age six or seven, repetitive movements typically start before
age 2, are more bilateral than tics, consist of intense patterns of movement for longer runs than
tics. Tics are less likely to be stimulated by excitement. Children with Stereotypic movement disorder
do not always reported being bothered by the movements as a child with tics might.
Prognosis depends on the severity of the disorder. Recognizing symptoms early can help reduce the
risk of self-injury, which can be lessened with medications. Stereotypic movement disorder due to
head trauma may be permanent. If anxiety or affective disorders are present, the behaviors may
persist.[2]
References
1. ^ Stereotypic movement disorder. BehaveNet. Retrieved on 2007-08-27.
2. ^ PMID 8617696
* DSM-IV - DSM-IV criterion
* eMedicine - Excerpt from Childhood Habit Behaviors and Stereotypic Movement Disorder
* eMedicine - Childhood Habit Behaviors and Stereotypic Movement Disorder
* WebMD
* Roger Freeman, M.D., blog, former advisory board member of Tourette Syndrome Association.
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