Psychogenic tremor in a patient with a major depressive episode

Abstract

Psychogenic tremor is a variant of psychogenic movement disorder. Psychogenic tremor often starts in an abrupt manner and affects voluntary motor function, rapidly reaching maximum impairment for the patient. Patients often present with comorbid psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety and personality disorders. Overall prognosis is poor, with 80 to 90 percent of patients symptomatic after one year. The authors present the case of a 33-year-old woman who experienced an acute episode of psychogenic tremor. They review the literature on psychiatric and neurologic manifestations of psychogenic tremor, consider diagnostic and treatment implications and discuss overall prognosis of recovery for patients afflicted with psychogenic tremor.