Motor Disorders (tic disorder, Tourette's)

Motor disorders described in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) are characterized by malfunctions in one's nervous system, leading to involuntary body movements. These movements may include tremors, jerks, twitches, or muscle contractions.

There are many different types of motor disorders, such as developmental coordination disorder, stereotypic movement disorder, and, most commonly, tic disorders.  

  • Developmental coordination disorder involves the inability to coordinate one's motor skills. The person exhibiting the disorder may show behavior such as dropping or bumping into objects and have difficulties catching objects, writing, or participating in sports. The level of execution for these motor skills should also be significantly below what is expected of those of the same chronological age.  
  • Stereotypic movement disorder involves repetitive and purposeless motor behavior such as hand shaking or waving, body rocking, headbanging, hitting one's own body, or self-biting. These motor behaviors should not be better explained by any other condition or mental disorder.  
  • Tic disorder involves three main conditions: Tourette's disorder, persistent (chronic) motor or vocal tic disorder, and provisional tic disorder.  

Note: A tic is a sudden, rapid, recurrent, nonrhythmic tic motor movement or vocalization.  

  • Tourette's disorder involves both motor and vocal tics that have been present for more than a year and aren't associated with effects from substance use or other medical conditions.  
  • Persistent (chronic) motor or vocal tic disorder involves vocal or motor tics that are present for more than a year and aren't associated with effects from substance use or other medical conditions.  
  • Provisional tic disorder involves motor or vocal tics present for less than a year, which aren't associated with effects from substance use or other medical conditions.  

Symptoms

Prevalence

Studies have shown that the prevalence of tic disorders may range from oh point 7% up to 4.2% of children. According to the DSM-5, the prevalence rate of Tourette's disorder ranges from 3 to 8 per 1,000 school-age children.

Prognosis

With motor disorders, individuals generally cannot be completely cured of them. With effective treatment plans involving both medications and behavioral therapy, those diagnosed with a motor disorder can learn to lead a fulfilling life despite the difficulties imposed by their condition.

When to seek help

With motor disorders, one should start seeking help when the movements caused by the disorder occur regularly or become so severe that they cause problems in their daily lives. Since these disorders may begin as early as childhood, parents should be aware of the symptoms to seek help as soon as they notice them.

Treatment

Treatment for motor disorders aims to tackle the specific problem areas that each disorder may cause to whoever is diagnosed with it. Most treatment approaches utilize medications alongside behavioral therapy to gain the most benefit from the treatment process.  

In order to tackle developmental coordination disorder, a combination of education, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills training is usually used to be able to live with the condition without it significantly affecting the individual's life.  

For stereotypic movement disorder, treatments may tackle stressors that trigger the movements. A technique known as Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors (DRO) aims to reinforce socially appropriate behavior. Functional Communication Training (FTC) teaches the individual alternative behavior to replace the stereotypical movement caused by the disorder.  

Tic disorders are most commonly treated using medications to control ticks or reduce the symptoms caused by the disorder. Behavior therapy or psychotherapy can be used in addition to medications to help individuals cope with their symptoms.