Tics are sudden, repetitive, rapid, purposeless and involuntary movements. They involve discrete muscle groups. Tics are virtually identical to one another. They are non rhythmic movements involving discrete muscle groups.
If a single group of muscle is involved in the involuntary movements then they are referred to as simple tics. If a stereotyped movement occurs as a result of complex group of muscles involved then it is referred to as complex tic.
Tics may be vocal like blabbering inappropriate stuff or may even involve repetition of a word several times.
Who is at risk of developing tics?
Tics are more likely to affect children. Children usually outgrow this condition. But in some cases the tics may continue well into adulthood. Boys are four times more likely to be suffering from tics than girls. Urge to do the tics
Before doing a tic people affected by this condition usually feel an urge to do the tic like sneezing or itching. Tics are difficult to control. Once they do the tic they feel better. They can be suppressed but only for a short time and only with conscious effort. Tics are made worse by stress or drawing the attention of the child to his tics.
Symptoms of simple motor tics
Simple motor tics are usually rapid involuntary movements that invoke a single group of muscles. Some of the common involuntary movements associated with simple motor tics are listed below:
- Shoulder shrugging
- Constants wrinkling of the nose
- Blinking of the eyes
- Touching the cheeks and the upper lip repeatedly
- Constant twitching of the head
- Lip biting especially when nervous or anxious
- Facial grimacing
- Squatting and hopping
- Knee jerking
- Jumping
Symptoms of complex motor tics
Complex motor tics involve more than one group of muscles. Involuntary movements associated with complex motor tics are not as rapid as the simple motor tics. So when a person performs complex motor tics they usually give an impression that they are doing these movements on purpose. Some of the common involuntary movements associated with complex motor tics are listed below:
- Coughing
- Grunting
- Constant throat clearing as if wanting to say something
- Sniffing
- Hissing
- Smoothing clothing
- Bending over to touch the floor
- Obscene movements or gestures
- Snapping the fingers
- Touching things of other people
- Head banging
Tics are usually transient and last for a short period of time. However, in very rare cases tics may last for years. This condition is known as chronic motor tic disorder. Tics can also be a major symptom of a separate disorder known as Gilles de la tourette syndrome. Tics can also be a part of other disorders like Huntington’s disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, some infections, or a stroke.
Tics can be a major factor for embarrassment in some people. Since they cannot control their tics and they are not in a position to observe their tics they may have exaggerated ideas about their symptoms.