Capturing the Cacophony of Movement: Assessment, epidemiology and treatment of movement disorders in patients with psychotic disorders

Patients with psychotic disorders often suffer from movement disorders as well. These may be associated with highly unpleasant symptoms, such as trembling hands, small steps, abnormal movements of mouth and jaw or deviant head positions. Movement disorders may bring about shame, social isolation and medication refusal with all its consequences. This dissertation shows that movement disorders already occur in patients who have been taking medication only for a relatively short period. A novelty is our study into electronic measurement instruments. These were shown to be objective, highly reliable, very sensitive and easy to use. This finding offers many opportunities for prevention and timely treatment of psychotic disorders.