Differential features between organic tics and PMDs resembling tics
| Organic tics | PMDs resembling tics | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical age at onset | Children | Young adults |
| Gender predominance | Male | Female |
| Sudden onset | Rare | Frequent |
| Premonitory sensation | Common | Uncommon |
| Suppressibility | Yes | Uncommon |
| Distractibility | Partial | Common |
| Suggestibility | Partial | Common |
| Movements present during sleep | Common | Not reported |
| Other disorders | Chorea minima*, attention deficit with hyperactivity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, impulsivity | Pseudoseizures; psychogenic tremor, dystonia, myoclonus, gait disorder, etc.; depression, anxiety, presence of psychological stress |
| Family history of TS | Common | Rare |
| Response to dopamine receptor antagonists or dopamine depletory drugs | Frequent, but may be incomplete | Rare |
*Piano playing movements, usually without pathological significance.
PMD, psychogenic movement disorder; TS, Tourette syndrome.