What are tics?
Tics are involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations.
They are the defining feature of a group of childhood-onset, neuro-developmental conditions known collectively as Tic Disorders.
It is individually known as TS due to the types of tics present (motor, vocal/ phonic, or both) and duration.
They are the defining feature of a group of childhood-onset, neuro-developmental conditions known collectively as Tic Disorders.
It is individually known as TS due to the types of tics present (motor, vocal/ phonic, or both) and duration.
Individuals with TS have had at least a combination two motor tics and at least one vocal tic over the course of more than a year.
TS does not adversely affect intelligence or life expectancy.
TS occurs in people from all ethnic groups; males are affected about three to four times more often than females.
It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have the most severe form of TS, and as many as one in 100 exhibit milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics.
Although TS can be a chronic condition with symptoms lasting a lifetime, most people with the condition experience their worst tic symptoms in their early teens, with improvement occurring in the late teens and continuing into adulthood.
Example of motor tics
Although tics are involuntary, many people are able to suppress their tics for a short time.
A helpful way of understanding this is to compare it to blinking.
For a short period of time it is possible to keep your eyes wide open and avoid blinking but eventually you will have to blink as the urge is
too strong to control.
Suppressing tics works in the same way.
It can take a great measure of concentration to resist the urge to tic, but with practice a certain level of control can be applied.
Some people will be able to suppress their tics more easily than others.
TS occurs in people from all ethnic groups; males are affected about three to four times more often than females.
It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have the most severe form of TS, and as many as one in 100 exhibit milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics.
Although TS can be a chronic condition with symptoms lasting a lifetime, most people with the condition experience their worst tic symptoms in their early teens, with improvement occurring in the late teens and continuing into adulthood.
Example of motor tics
- Jumping
- Twirling
- Touching objects and other people
- Eye blinking
- Eye rolling
- Grimacing
- Shoulder shrugging
- Limb and head jerking
- Whistling
- Throat clearing
- Sniffing
- Coughing
- Tongue clicking
- Grunting
- Animal sounds
Although tics are involuntary, many people are able to suppress their tics for a short time.
A helpful way of understanding this is to compare it to blinking.
For a short period of time it is possible to keep your eyes wide open and avoid blinking but eventually you will have to blink as the urge is
too strong to control.
Suppressing tics works in the same way.
It can take a great measure of concentration to resist the urge to tic, but with practice a certain level of control can be applied.
Some people will be able to suppress their tics more easily than others.
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