Three Hysterical Movement Disorders

Abstract

Three hysterical movement disorders are reported: a case of hysterical bilateral blepharospasm which later presented as hysterical hemifacial spasm, a case of hysterical myoclonus, and a case of hysterical parkinsonism. Two patients presented with a relative indifference to preceding life experiences that would normally have evoked considerable emotion. Two of the cases first presented at an older age and one of these older patients was a man. Two of the patients agreed to hypnotherapy and supportive psychotherapy. In both cases the “involuntary” movements disappeared during hypnosis. In the third case, there was a complete spontaneous resolution of symptoms in a neurological condition where resolution would not be expected to occur.