Tics are
repetitive, twitching movements occurring
at irregular intervals and always in the
same place. Very minor tics occur in
about a quarter of all children and usually
disappear within a year. Tics are three
times as common in boys as in girls.
Tics are
also common feature of Gilles
de la Tourette syndrome (see article on
Tourette's Syndrome). In Tourette's
syndrome, tics appear when the child is
around seven years of age.
Symptoms
Tics do not
occur during sleep or when the child is
deeply absorbed. They are worse during stress
and when the child is aware of being observed.
In a small
proportion of cases, tics persist into adult
life. Most are minor, but some become so
severe and widespread as to call for medical
assistance. Such major tics occasionally
affect the diaphragm, causing a grunting
sound.
A tic commonly
affecting adults is a spasmodic closure
of one or both eyes, known as blepharospasm.
Neurotic blepharospasm can be very disabling,
the affected person sometimes being unable
to open the eyes at all, even in very dim
conditions.
Any attention
given to the phenomenon makes it worse.
Blepharospasm is often associated with other
tics such as hitching up a shoulder, jerking
up the chin, or turning or tilting the head
to one side.
Causes
Tics do
not necessarily indicate a problem or disorder.
They can often be controlled by an effort
of will. However, since they
appear to release emotional tension, such
control can be difficult or unpleasant.
Treatment
Treatment
is only necessary if the tic is severe or
does not go away naturally within a year
or so.
Psychotherapy
and hypnotism have been tried, but are
not considered to be effective in treating
severe tics.
Some tranquillising
drugs are helpful, although they can have
unpleasant side effects. Behaviour therapy
is claimed to be effective in the management
of severe tics, but there is not widespread
agreement on this.
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Tics
