Tics are sudden, repetitive, rapid, purposeless and involuntary movements. They involve discrete muscle groups. Tics are not rhythmic movements and are virtually identical to one another. Tics are stereotyped motor movement or vocalization involving discrete muscle groups. Before doing a tic people affected by this condition usually feel an urge to do the tic. Once they do the tic they feel better. Tics are difficult to control. They can be suppressed but only for a short time and only with conscious effort.
Incidence of Tics
Tics are most likely to affect individuals in their early childhood years. Children usually outgrow this condition but in some cases the symptoms of tics can last well into adolescence. Boys are three to four times more likely to be affected by tics than girls. Tics may affect as many as one-fourth of all children at some time.
Types of Tics Disorder
Tics that involve the involuntary movements are known as motor tics. Tics that involve sound are known as vocal tics. Vocal tics are usually simper and a lot less scary. Often people think that person who does vocal tics is cursing them or blurting something inappropriate. Tics are repeated, uncontrolled spasm-like muscle movements. Tics are classified as simple tics and complex tics.
Simple motor tics
Simple motor tics involve a single muscle group. They are usually rapid involuntary movements. Shoulder shrugging, nose wrinkling, head twitching, repetitive touching, facial grimacing, eye blinking and lip biting are some of the common movements that are associated with simple motor tics.
Complex motor tics
Complex motor tics are the type of tics that usually involve more than one muscle group. They also look like the person is performing the tic purposefully. Some of the common movements involved with complex motor tics are coughing, grunting, throat clearing and sniffing. In complex vocal tics the speech is more meaningful. It may involve repeating words from the speech of others.
Diagnosis of Tics Disorder
Tics can sometimes be diagnosed at a regular medical checkup. The health care provider will usually diagnose a tic during a physical examination. No special diagnostic tests or laboratory procedures are needed to diagnose tics. However, the doctor may advise the person suffering from tics to undergo and EEG scan in order to rule out other medical conditions like seizures.
Prognosis of Tics Disorder
Tics are usually a temporary condition. Many cases of tics cannot be prevented. Calling the child’s attention to a tic may make it worse or cause it to continue. Studies have found that stress makes tics worse. Reducing stress may be helpful in curing tics. A non-stressful environment can reduce the frequency of tics, and help them go away more quickly. In some cases children can be provided counseling in order to cope with stress. No medical attention is needed for transient tics and the person suffering from tics outgrows this condition usually within three months. Tics usually affect children. In some cases the symptoms of tics can last well into adulthood.