Uncontrollable Movements
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Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
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People with these symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
Head shakes uncontrollably (involuntarily)
Seizure with arm straightened and face turned to the same side e.g. left or right
Uncontrollable movements that make me subconsciously walk or wander around
Being conscious while your arms and legs are moving involuntarily
Hand starts writing in mid-air if I focus on something else
Involuntary slow muscle movements of arms and legs
Seizure that starts from one part of the body
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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
About the symptom
An involuntary movement is when your body moves in an uncontrolled way. These can include small jerking motions, tremors, or larger limb movements. They usually happen due to problems with the brain or spinal cord.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Uncontrollable movements
Possible causes
- Spasticity
Spasticity is abnormal muscle tightness due to prolonged muscle contraction. IIt is usually associated with damage to the spinal cord, brain or nerves.
- Cirrhosis of the liver
A condition where normal liver is permanently damaged and replaced with scar issue. There are many different causes including infections, alcohol abuse and diabetes.
- Restless foot syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) Willis-Ekbom disease is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, usually because of an uncomfortable sensation. It typically occurs while sitting or lying down. Exact cause is unknown, but could be due to a chemical (dopamine) imbalance in the brain. It can begin at any age and generally worsens with age. It can disrupt sleep, which interferes with daily activities.
- Alcohol dependence / delirium tremens
Related serious diseases
- Uremia / chronic renal failure
Severe decrease in kidney function. There are many causes of this, from repeated damage due to infections, diabetes, high blood pressure to autoimmunity (body's immune system attacking itself).
- Epilepsy
- Chronic subdural hematoma
- Cerebral infarction
- Cerebellar hemorrhage / infarction
- Hepatic encephalopathy
Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom
Do you have movements of the hands/legs/face, that you cannot control?
Do your uncontrollable movements make you subconsciously walk or wander around?
Do you have a fever?
Do you have headaches or does your head feel heavy?
Do you have nausea or vomiting?
Other Related Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from the same body system / part
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
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Developed by doctors.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan