Overview
Psychogenic movement disorders (PMDs), also called functional movement disorders (FMDs), are conditions where a person experiences involuntary movements — such as tremors, jerks, or abnormal postures — that are not caused by a structural brain disease or a known neurological condition. Instead, these movements arise from how the brain is processing and generating movement signals, often linked to psychological stress, trauma, or emotional distress. The condition is also sometimes called conversion disorder with motor symptoms, or functional neurological symptom disorder (FND). Despite the name 'psychogenic,' the symptoms are very real and not made up or faked. The brain is genuinely producing these movements, just not in the usual way. People with PMDs may experience shaking, sudden jerking movements, difficulty walking, muscle spasms, or weakness that can come and go or be constant. Symptoms can be disabling and significantly affect daily life. The condition is more common than many people realize and is one of the more frequent reasons people visit neurology clinics. Treatment focuses on a combination of physical therapy, psychological therapy (especially cognitive behavioral therapy), and education about the condition. With the right support, many people see meaningful improvement. Early diagnosis and a compassionate, team-based approach are key to better outcomes.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Tremors or shaking that may come and goSudden jerking movements of the limbs or body (myoclonus-like jerks)Abnormal postures or muscle spasms (dystonia-like movements)Difficulty walking or an unusual walking patternWeakness or paralysis in one or more limbsSlurred or difficult speechInvoluntary facial movements or grimacingSymptoms that change or shift over timeSymptoms that improve when distractedFatigue and low energyAnxiety or depression alongside movement symptomsSensitivity to stress — symptoms often worsen during stressful periodsEpisodes that look like seizures but without typical brain wave changes
Clinical phenotype terms (3)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsRhode Island Hospital — NA
University Hospital, Montpellier — NA
NYU Langone Health — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Psychogenic movement disorders.
3 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Psychogenic movement disorders.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Psychogenic movement disorders.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Psychogenic movement disorders
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Pilot Neurobehavioral Therapy for Functional Neurological Disorder
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Psychogenic movement disorders
New recruiting trial: Modulating Movement Intention Via Cortical Stimulation
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Psychogenic movement disorders
New recruiting trial: Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training in Psychogenic Disorders
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Psychogenic movement disorders
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How confident are you in this diagnosis, and what specific signs led you to it?,What type of therapy do you recommend, and how do I find a therapist experienced in functional movement disorders?,Are there any medications that might help my symptoms or any co-existing conditions like anxiety or depression?,What should I do if I have a severe episode at home — is there an emergency plan I should follow?,How long does treatment usually take, and what does improvement look like?,Are there any activities or situations I should avoid, or is it better to stay as active as possible?,Can you refer me to a multidisciplinary team or a specialist center that treats functional neurological disorders?
Common questions about Psychogenic movement disorders
What is Psychogenic movement disorders?
Psychogenic movement disorders (PMDs), also called functional movement disorders (FMDs), are conditions where a person experiences involuntary movements — such as tremors, jerks, or abnormal postures — that are not caused by a structural brain disease or a known neurological condition. Instead, these movements arise from how the brain is processing and generating movement signals, often linked to psychological stress, trauma, or emotional distress. The condition is also sometimes called conversion disorder with motor symptoms, or functional neurological symptom disorder (FND). Despite the name
How is Psychogenic movement disorders inherited?
Psychogenic movement disorders follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Psychogenic movement disorders?
Yes — 3 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Psychogenic movement disorders on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Psychogenic movement disorders?
6 specialists and care centers treating Psychogenic movement disorders are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.