Aggression Toward Others Misdiagnosed as Primary Tics. Issue 5 (25th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kurvits, Lille; Mainka, Tina; Cavanna, Andrea E.; Kühn, Andrea A.; Ganos, Christos
• Is Part Of: Movement disorders clinical practice. Volume 8:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 769
• Page End: 771
• Publication Date: 2021-05-25
• Subjects: allo‐aggression -- tic disorders -- Tourette syndrome -- functional neurological symptom disorder; Movement Disorders; Movement disorders -- Periodicals; Movement disorders; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13236
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2330-1619

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Tics describe a wide range of sudden and repetitive behaviors. Their multifaceted clinical features may resemble other explosive behaviors, including repetitive episodes of aggression toward others (allo‐aggression) reported by subjects without tics. Here, we document 3 exemplary cases that help disentangle allo‐aggressive behaviors from tics. Cases: We report 3 cases who presented with an array of complex repetitive behaviors, most notably allo‐aggression (eg, sudden kicking, hitting, slapping and biting others, or pushing someone off a bike), which were misdiagnosed as primary tics. In all cases, additional symptoms, such as blackouts, feeling of being controlled by different personalities, or being empowered by repetitive behaviors, and examination pointed toward different neuropsychiatric diagnoses. Conclusions: Repetitive allo‐aggressive behaviors are not part of the range of motor manifestations of tics. This observation not only has important medico‐legal implications but is also relevant for the overall perception of Tourette syndrome and other primary tic disorders.