F98.4: Stereotyped movement disorders
Stereotyped movement disorders, classified under the ICD-10 code F98.4, are a group of conditions where a person repetitively performs certain behaviors or movements that lack a clear purpose. These patterns can include hand-waving, body-rocking, head-banging, self-biting, and other repetitive gestures. They are often initiated voluntarily, but become a habitual pattern. These behaviors are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition. The exact cause is often unknown, but it can be associated with mental disorders, stress, or boredom. Over time, these movements might increase or decrease in frequency and may interfere with normal activities or cause physical harm. These disorders are more common in children and in individuals with intellectual disabilities but can occur at any age. It's important to note that the movements are not better explained by a compulsion (obsessive-compulsive disorder), tics (Tourette's syndrome), or other movement disorders.
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