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Stereotypic movement disorder - Symptom

Symptoms:

  • Biting self
  • Hand shaking or waving
  • Head banging
  • Hitting own body
  • Mouthing of objects
  • Nail biting
  • Rocking

Signs and tests:

A doctor can usually diagnose this condition with a physical exam. Tests should be done to rule out other potential causes of such behaviors, including Tourette syndrome or other tic disorder, stimulant abuse, chorea, and autism.

  • Reviewed last on: 5/14/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed, Arlington, Va: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.

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