Occasional Tics
Aidan could feel it. He was in the middle of an exam and didn't want to make a scene, so he tried to control it. But it was no use. The stress of the exam was getting to him, and the longer he held in his tic, the more he could feel it building up inside him. Finally he had no choice but to let it out. It wasn't as bad as he anticipated — his shoulders jerked slightly and no one seemed to notice.
Aidan has a tic disorder, a condition that affects many people before the age of 18. Sometimes a person will have one kind of tic — like a shoulder shrug — that lasts for a while and then goes away. But then he or she may develop another type of tic, such as a nose twitch.
What's a Tic?
A tic is an uncontrolled sudden, repetitive movement or sound that can be difficult to control. Tics involving involve movements are called motor tics. Tics involving sounds are called vocal tics. Tics can be either simple or complex.
What Tic Disorder Looks Like in Children and Adults Learn to differentiate between commonplace, occasional tics and the symptoms of a persistent tic disorder — including the well-known Tourette Syndrome — in both children and adults. A tic is an abrupt, unintentional movement or sound, unrelated to environmental stimuli. Occasional neuromuscular symptoms: tics, twitches, fasciculations, spasms, cramps, restless legs. Common simple tics are eye blinking, shoulder jerking, picking movements, grunting, sniffing and barking. 1 Complex tics include facial grimacing, arm flapping, coprolalia (use of obscene words).
The type of tics a person has may change over time. How often tics happen also may change. Tics often come and go and can get worse when a person is stressed or anxious.
It's perfectly normal to worry that a tic may never go away. Fortunately, that's not usually the case. Most tics are temporary. They tend to not last more than 3 months at a time.
- Education and reassurance are often sufficient for mild and occasional tics. For tics of moderate severity, clonidine and guanfacine have a reasonable safety profile. They are considered as first-line medications. With clonidine, start with 0.05 mg at bedtime.
- What had been occasional tics and twitches started occurring almost constantly. Muscle Twitching Information from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Most parents who write to me receive very little support from their health care professionals regarding diet changes as a possible treatment for tics and twitches.
Motor Tics
Simple motor tics involve a single muscle group. Complex motor tics usually involve more than one muscle group and can even look like the person is doing the tic on purpose. Simple motor tics include:
- nose wrinkling
- head twitching
- eye blinking
- lip biting
- facial grimacing
- shoulder shrugging
Complex motor tics include:
- kicking
- skipping
- jumping
- mimicking movements by others
- smelling objects
Vocal Tics
Simple vocal tics involve one simple sound. Complex vocal tics involve more meaningful speech (like words). Simple vocal tics include:
- coughing
- throat clearing
- grunting
- sniffing
- barking
- hissing
Complex vocal tics include:
- repeating words and phrases
- animal sounds
- calling out
- yelling
Types of Tic Disorders
There are several kinds of tic disorders:
- provisional tic disorder — this is the most common type of tic disorder. With a provisional tic disorder, the tics have been happening for less than a year.
- chronic (persistent) tic disorder — this is a less common tic disorder. With chronic (persistent) tic disorder, tics have been happening for more than a year. The tics may be motor or vocal, but not both.
- Tourette syndrome — this is a much less common tic disorder. With Tourette syndrome, a person has multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic happening for more than a year.
The Doc's Diagnosis
Tics can sometimes be diagnosed at a regular checkup after the doctor gets a full family history, a medical history, and a look at the symptoms. No specific test can diagnose tics, but sometimes doctors will run tests to rule out other conditions that might have symptoms similar to tics.
In certain cases, tics are bad enough to interfere with someone's daily life and medicine may be prescribed.
The Embarrassment Factor
Many times, people with a tic can think that their tic is the worst one ever. Of course it isn't, but it's still a concern for many people with tics. And those worries can cause unnecessary feelings of embarrassment and actually make the tic worse.
Nobody wants to make tics worse, but is there any way to make them better? While you can't cure tics, you can take some easy steps to lessen their impact:
- Don't focus on it. If you know you have a tic, forget about it. Concentrating on it just makes it worse.
- Try to avoid stress-filled situations as much as you can — stress only makes tics worse.
- Get enough sleep. Being tired can makes tics worse. So make sure to get a full night's rest!
- Let it out! Holding back a tic can just turn it into a ticking bomb, waiting to explode. Have you ever felt a cough coming on and tried to avoid it? Didn't work out so well, did it? Chances are it was much worse. Tics are very similar.
- A tic? What tic? If a friend of yours has a tic, don't call attention to it. Chances are your friend knows the tic is there. Pointing it out only makes the person think about it more.
Don't let a little tic dictate who you are or how you act. Learning to live with and not pay attention to the tic will make you stronger down the road.
This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. Failure to comply may result in legal action.
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 16, 2020.
- Care Notes
- Overview
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
What is Tourette syndrome (TS)?
TS is a disorder that causes your child to have tics. A tic is when your child makes sudden, fast movements or sounds that he or she cannot control. TS begins before 18 years of age. Tics are usually most severe between ages 10 and 12 years and often improve during adolescence.
What increases my child's risk for TS?
The exact cause is not known, but it may be linked to genetic changes that cause problems with chemicals in the brain. These chemicals affect the nerves that help control your child's movements, behavior, emotions, and thoughts. Your child is more likely to have TS if a close family member has TS. It is more common in boys. Ask your child's healthcare provider for more information about family history and other risk factors for TS.
What kinds of tics may my child have?
Your child will have at least 2 kinds of motor tics and at least 1 kind of vocal tic. The motor and vocal tics might happen at the same time, but they might happen separately. Your child will need to have the tics for at least 1 year before his or her healthcare provider will diagnose TS. Your child may have any of the following several times every day:
- Motor tics can be simple or complex. Simple motor tics are short, quick, uncontrolled movements of one body area. Complex motor tics occur when your child has many simple motor tics at one time. Common examples include eye blinking, teeth grinding, or foot tapping. He or she may also bite or punch himself or herself, shrug his or her shoulders, or twitch his or her nose.
- Vocal tics can be simple or complex. Simple vocal tics are when your child makes uncontrolled noises and sounds. Complex vocal tics are when your child speaks words or phrases without having control over what he or she is saying. Common examples include barking, throat clearing, or shouting. He or she may also make a sucking noise, curse, or say inappropriate things.
What should I know about tics?
- Your child's tics may be worse when he or she is alone, stressed, tired, excited, or worried.
- Your child may have warning signs before tics begin, such as feeling cold, warm, itchy, tingly, or heavy. When the tic occurs, these feelings go away.
- Your child may have fewer tics when he or she is concentrating, doing activities, or sleeping.
- At times, your child may be able to stop a tic from occurring. This may cause discomfort or a feeling of pressure in his or her body, causing many tics afterwards.
- As your child grows older, tics may go away on their own.
Occasional Tics Disorder
What other problems might my child have?
Children with TS are more likely to also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or bipolar disorder. Ask your child's healthcare provider for more information on these disorders. Your child may also experience the following:
- Being teased or bullied by other children
- Embarrassment about the tics, or low self-esteem
- Pain with certain motor tics
- Temper tantrums, bullying other children or animals, or harming himself or herself
- Trouble sleeping, bad dreams, or sleepwalking
- Trouble learning in school
How is TS diagnosed?
Your child's healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's tics and health history. Tell the provider when the tics started, how often they occur, how bad they are, and if they interfere with daily activities. Tell him or her if a family member has TS or another tic disorder. Your child's healthcare provider may do testing to check your child's brain function. He or she may check your child's eyes, strength, memory, and problem solving ability. He or she will also check for other conditions, such as ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders. These often occur with TS. Treatment for some of the other disorders may also improve tics.
How is TS treated?
Treatment for TS may not be needed, or may be started later. Your child's provider may recommend watching and waiting to see if the tics get worse. Your child's tics may become milder or go away during the teen years. Treatment may help make tics less severe but usually does not get rid of them completely.
- Medicines may be given if your child's tics are painful, harmful, or make it hard for him or her to do daily activities. The medicines used to treat your child will depend on what other conditions he or she has. Medicines may be given to help decrease your child's tics. Some of the medicines may also help control anxiety, mood swings, or aggressive behavior. Some medicines may also help your child sleep. The provider will talk to you about common or severe side effects that each medicine can cause. He or she will also check over time to see if each medicine is still needed or can be stopped.
- Biofeedback training helps your child to control how his or her body reacts to stress or pain. This training can help reduce tics by helping your child manage triggers that can lead to a tic.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps your child learn to control his or her behavior, thoughts, and emotions. CBT may help your child understand the tic disorder and help him or her cope with the symptoms.
- Habit reversal therapy helps your child learn new behaviors to take the place of his or her tics. Your child learns to recognize when the urge to have a tic is building. Your child learns to choose an action that will interrupt the tic. He or she may need to do the action for up to 3 minutes before the tic urge stops.
- Relaxation therapy helps decrease your child's physical and emotional stress. Stress may make your child's TS worse. Relaxation therapy may help your child learn to control the tics. Deep breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation, and listening to music can help your child cope with stressful events.
What can I do to help support my child?
- Be patient. Remember that your child is not choosing to have tics. He or she is not acting out or trying to cause behavior problems. Punishment will not stop him or her from having tics. A calm and patient approach may help make the tics less severe or happen less often.
- Help your child manage stress. Your child may have fewer tics when he or she is concentrating, doing activities, or sleeping. His or her tics may be worse when he or she is alone, stressed, tired, excited, or worried. It may help to create a regular schedule. For example, set up time during the day for your child to do his or her homework. This can help prevent him or her from trying to finish at the last minute.
- Do not focus on the tic. The tic may get worse the more your child thinks about it. Help him or her focus on his or her strengths and interests. Do not let a tic disorder define your child.
- Create a regular sleep schedule. Have your child go to bed at the same time every night. Make sure he or she will be able to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Lack of sleep can make a tic worse.
- Encourage your child to let the tic out as soon as possible. The longer he or she tries to hold back the tic, the worse it may be when it happens. Your child may have warning signs before his or her tics begin, such as feeling cold, warm, itchy, tingly, or heavy. When the tic occurs, these feelings go away. At times, your child may be able to stop a tic from occurring. This may cause discomfort or a feeling of pressure in his or her body, causing him or her to have many tics afterwards.
Where can I find more information?
- Tourette Syndrome Association
42-40 Bell Boulevard
Bayside , NY 11361-2820
Phone: 1- 718 - 224-2999
Web Address: http://www.tsa-usa.org
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:
- Your child tells you he or she feels like hurting himself or herself, or others.
- Your child has hurt himself or herself, or someone else.
Occasional Tics
When should I seek immediate care?
- Your child gets very upset, threatens someone, or is violent. This may include talking loudly, shouting, or becoming very demanding.
- Your child has a high fever, muscle stiffness, and problems thinking.
- Your child has new vision changes.
Occasional Tics Meaning
When should I call my child's doctor?
- Your child is not sleeping well or sleeps more than usual.
- Your child has trouble in school or becomes depressed or anxious.
- Your child is having muscle spasms (twitching) or trouble walking.
- Your child has new tics, or the tics are getting worse or preventing him or her from doing daily activities.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
Care Agreement
Occasional Tics Vs
You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.© Copyright IBM Corporation 2020 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. All illustrations and images included in CareNotes® are the copyrighted property of A.D.A.M., Inc. or IBM Watson Health
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