Functional Paroxysmal Movement Disorders

Functional paroxysmal movement disorders are a phenomenologically diverse group of functional movement disorders with often complex clinical presentations. This may lead to significant diagnostic (and therefore therapeutic) delay. However, with knowledge of the typical presentations of monogenic paroxysmal movement disorders, confident diagnosis is possible in many patients. Variability of clinical presentation, including triggers and attack duration, the presence of additional functional neurological signs and adult onset are all features that are associated with functional paroxysmal movement disorders. In this chapter we outline the diagnostic process and discuss how to move from diagnosis to effective management.