BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuStereotypic movement disorderMotor stereotypiesStereotypic movement disorder is a condition in which a person makes repetitive, purposeless movements. These can be hand waving, body rocking, or head banging. The movements interfere with normal activity or may cause bodily harm. Causes Stereotypic movement disorder is more common among boys than girls. The movements often increase with stress, frustration, and boredom.The cause of this disorder, when it doesn't occur with other conditions, is unknown.Stimulant drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can cause a severe, short period of movement behavior. This may include picking, hand wringing, head tics, or lip-biting. Long-term stimulant use may lead to longer periods of the behavior.Head injuries may also cause stereotypic movements. Symptoms Symptoms of this disorder may include any of the following movements:Biting self Hand shaking or waving Head banging Hitting own body Mouthing of objects Nail biting Rocking Exams and Tests A health care provider can usually diagnose this condition with a physical exam. Tests should be done to rule out other causes including: Autism spectrum disorder Autism spectrum disorderAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder. It often appears in the first 2 to 3 years of life. ASD affects the brain's ability to ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Chorea disorders Chorea disordersJerky body movement is a condition in which a person makes fast movements that they cannot control and that have no purpose. These movements interru...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Tourette syndrome or other tic disorder Tourette syndromeTourette syndrome is a condition that causes a person to make repeated, quick movements or sounds that they cannot control.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment should focus on the cause, specific symptoms, and the person's age.The environment should be changed so that it is safer for people who may injure themselves.Behavioral techniques and psychotherapy may be helpful.Medicines may also help reduce symptoms related to this condition. Antidepressants have been used in some cases. Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook depends on the cause. Stereotypic movements due to drugs usually go away on their own after a few hours. Long-term use of stimulants can lead to longer periods of stereotypic movement behavior. The movements usually go away once the drug is stopped.Stereotypic movements due to head injury may be permanent.The movement problems usually don't progress to other disorders (such as seizures). Possible Complications Severe stereotypic movements may interfere with normal social functioning. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if your child has repeated odd movements that last longer than a few hours.Open ReferencesReferencesJankovic J, Hallett M, Okun MS, Comella C, Fahn S, Goldman J. Stereotypies. In: Jankovic J, Hallett M, Okun MS, Comella C, Fahn S, Goldman J, eds. Principles and Practice of Movement Disorders. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 16.Ryan CA, Walter HJ, DeMaso DR. Motor disorders and habits. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 37.Singer HS, Mink JW, Gilbert DL, Jankovic J. Motor stereotypies. In: Singer HS, Mink JW, Gilbert DL, Jankovic J, eds. Movement Disorders in Childhood. 2nd ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier Academic Press; 2016:chap 8.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Review Date: 6/7/2022 Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Stereotypic movement disorderMotor stereotypiesStereotypic movement disorder is a condition in which a person makes repetitive, purposeless movements. These can be hand waving, body rocking, or head banging. The movements interfere with normal activity or may cause bodily harm. Causes Stereotypic movement disorder is more common among boys than girls. The movements often increase with stress, frustration, and boredom.The cause of this disorder, when it doesn't occur with other conditions, is unknown.Stimulant drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can cause a severe, short period of movement behavior. This may include picking, hand wringing, head tics, or lip-biting. Long-term stimulant use may lead to longer periods of the behavior.Head injuries may also cause stereotypic movements. Symptoms Symptoms of this disorder may include any of the following movements:Biting self Hand shaking or waving Head banging Hitting own body Mouthing of objects Nail biting Rocking Exams and Tests A health care provider can usually diagnose this condition with a physical exam. Tests should be done to rule out other causes including: Autism spectrum disorder Autism spectrum disorderAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder. It often appears in the first 2 to 3 years of life. ASD affects the brain's ability to ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Chorea disorders Chorea disordersJerky body movement is a condition in which a person makes fast movements that they cannot control and that have no purpose. These movements interru...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Tourette syndrome or other tic disorder Tourette syndromeTourette syndrome is a condition that causes a person to make repeated, quick movements or sounds that they cannot control.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment should focus on the cause, specific symptoms, and the person's age.The environment should be changed so that it is safer for people who may injure themselves.Behavioral techniques and psychotherapy may be helpful.Medicines may also help reduce symptoms related to this condition. Antidepressants have been used in some cases. Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook depends on the cause. Stereotypic movements due to drugs usually go away on their own after a few hours. Long-term use of stimulants can lead to longer periods of stereotypic movement behavior. The movements usually go away once the drug is stopped.Stereotypic movements due to head injury may be permanent.The movement problems usually don't progress to other disorders (such as seizures). Possible Complications Severe stereotypic movements may interfere with normal social functioning. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if your child has repeated odd movements that last longer than a few hours.Open ReferencesReferencesJankovic J, Hallett M, Okun MS, Comella C, Fahn S, Goldman J. Stereotypies. In: Jankovic J, Hallett M, Okun MS, Comella C, Fahn S, Goldman J, eds. Principles and Practice of Movement Disorders. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 16.Ryan CA, Walter HJ, DeMaso DR. Motor disorders and habits. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 37.Singer HS, Mink JW, Gilbert DL, Jankovic J. Motor stereotypies. In: Singer HS, Mink JW, Gilbert DL, Jankovic J, eds. Movement Disorders in Childhood. 2nd ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier Academic Press; 2016:chap 8.