Tourette’s and Tic Disorder

Tics are quick, unexpected, and persistent motor movement or vocalization. Tourette’s involves both motor and verbal tics. Tics may come and go but must persist for at least a year to be determined as a Tic Disorder. Common tics include blinking, sniffing, coughing, grunting, throat clearing, head turning, shoulder shrugging, repeating words or sounds, arm twitching, and many more. Tic disorders are frustrating and can hinder functioning depending on frequency, volume, and complex movements of the tics. The muscle movements can cause pain or soreness over time such as a tic that causes a client to jerk their neck suddenly. Tics are usually worse when the individual is tired or stressed.

Tic disorders usually improve as the client ages; however, adults can still have tics too. Facial tics are the most difficult to treat and you will see these tics continue into adulthood. Eye-blinking tics are the most predominant seen in adults.

Treatment includes exposure response prevention (ERP), habit reversal training (HRT), and comprehensive behavioral interventions for tics (CBiT). Medication is also beneficial to reduce tics.

For more information, please visit https://tourette.org.