Background Functional movement disorder is a subtype of functional neurologic symptom disorder a syndrome of involuntary physical, neurologic‐type symptoms that are incongruous with “organic” disease. Throughout history, there have been outbreaks of functional symptoms in communities; until recently, spread had been confined to groups of people who shared a physical location. However, in the era of social media, a new mode of dissemination may have arisen. Cases We describe six teenage girls, each with the explosive onset of tic‐like movements. Mean age of onset was 14.2 years. The presence of features incongruous with Tourette syndrome on history and examination prompted the diagnosis of functional tics. All patients reported exposure to a specific social media personality before symptom onset. Conclusions Our series suggests that social media may contribute to the spread of functional neurologic symptom disorder, in a way previously requiring physical proximity.

Abstract:Background:Functional (psychogenic) movement disorders (FMDs) are conditions in which affected patients develop abnormal movements that are incongruous with known, organic, movement disorders, often associated with psychological stressors.Methods:In this case series, electronic medical records of all patients who presented to our adult and pediatric tertiary-care movement disorders clinics between March 1 and October 30, 2020 and during the same period in 2019 were reviewed. All patients diagnosed with functional or psychogenic movement disorder were included if they satisfied diagnostic criteria.Results:Among 550 new patients referred for evaluation at our tertiary care movement disorders centers, 45 (8.2%) received a diagnosis of FMD; 75.6% were female, in comparison to the prior year during which time 665 new patients were evaluated and 5.1% were diagnosed with FMD. This represents a 60.1% increase (90.1% in pediatric cohort, 50.9% in adult cohort) in new patients diagnosed with FMD during the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusions:Within our patient population, there has been increased incidence of FMDs in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly reflecting increased psychological and other stressors during this period.

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