Sensory phenomena explained

Sensory phenomena are general feelings, urges or bodily sensations.^[1] They are present in many conditions including autism spectrum disorders,^[2] epilepsy,^[3] neuropathy,^[4] obsessive–compulsive disorder,^[2] pain conditions,^{[5] [6]} tardive syndromes,^[7] and tic disorders.

In tic disorders

Sensory phenomena are associated with Tourette syndrome and tic disorders, and defined as "uncomfortable feelings or sensations preceding tics that usually are relieved by the movement".^[8] The tics of Tourette's are temporarily suppressible and preceded by a premonitory urge^[9] which is similar to the need to sneeze or scratch an itch. Individuals describe the need to tic as the buildup of tension in a particular anatomical location,^[10] which they may consciously choose to release, or which is released involuntarily.^[11] The presence of sensory phenomena differentiates subjects with Tourette syndrome plus obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) from subjects with OCD alone,^[1] and may be an important measure for grouping patients along the OCD-Tourette's disorder spectrum.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Miguel EC, do Rosário-Campos MC, Shavitt RG, Hounie AG, Mercadante MT . The tic-related obsessive-compulsive disorder phenotype and treatment implications . Adv Neurol . 85 . 43–55 . 2001 . 11530446 .
2. Jiujias M, Kelley E, Hall L . Restricted, Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Comparative Review . Child Psychiatry Hum Dev . 48 . 6 . 944–959 . December 2017 . 28281020 . 10.1007/s10578-017-0717-0 . 4438507 .
3. Huff JS, Murr N . Seizure. StatPearls. 2020. 28613516 .
4. Nicholson GA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al . SPTLC1-Related Hereditary Sensory Neuropathy . GeneReviews . 2002 . 20301564 .
5. Andersen HH, Akiyama T, Nattkemper LA, et al. Alloknesis and hyperknesis-mechanisms, assessment methodology, and clinical implications of itch sensitization . Pain . 159 . 7 . 1185–1197 . July 2018 . 29659469 . 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001220. 4956447 .
6. Book: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416036180100207 . Verdugo MC, Campero M, Castillo JL, Cea G . Textbook of Clinical Neurology . Third . 2007 . 363–81 . 20: Pain and Temperature . W.B. Saunders . 10.1016/B978-141603618-0.10020-7. 9781416036180 .
7. Hauser RA, Truong D . Tardive dyskinesia: Out of the shadows . J. Neurol. Sci. . 389 . 1–3 . June 2018 . 29449008 . 10.1016/j.jns.2018.02.009 . 3270530 .
8. Definitions and classification of tic disorders. The Tourette Syndrome Classification Study Group . Arch. Neurol. . 50 . 10 . 1013–6 . October 1993 . 8215958 . 10.1001/archneur.1993.00540100012008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050322170245/http://www.tsa-usa.org/research/definitions.html . 2005-03-22 .
9. Jankovic J . Differential diagnosis and etiology of tics . Adv Neurol . 85 . 15–29 . 2001 . 11530424.
10. Bliss J . Sensory experiences of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome . Arch. Gen. Psychiatry . 37 . 12 . 1343–7 . December 1980 . 6934713 . 10.1001/archpsyc.1980.01780250029002.
11. Kwak C, Dat Vuong K, Jankovic J . Premonitory sensory phenomenon in Tourette's syndrome . Mov. Disord. . 18 . 12 . 1530–3 . December 2003 . 14673893 . 10.1002/mds.10618. 8152205 .
12. Miguel EC, do Rosário-Campos MC, Prado HS, et al . Sensory phenomena in obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette's disorder . J Clin Psychiatry . 61 . 2 . 150–6; quiz 157 . February 2000 . 10732667 . 10.4088/jcp.v61n0213 .