Tic Disorders

What Are Tics?

Tics are sudden movements, sounds or twitches that occur outside of a person's control. These movements are typically associated with stress, excitement or happiness, but they can also happen spontaneously. Tics can be triggered either by some sort of outside stimulus such as stress, anxiety, excitement or happiness, or they can happen spontaneously and without warning. The patient can sometimes suppress the tics without medical assistance. Tics are separated into two categories: simple and complex.

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Simple tics involve a single muscle group. Some examples of simple tics include:

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• Facial twitches

• Jerking of the head or neck

• Sudden shouting or vocal outbursts

• Fist clenching

 

Complex tics, as the name suggests, involve more complex movements that involve multiple muscle groups. Some examples of complex tics include:

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• Mouth and tongue movements

• Hitting oneself or others

• Heel kicking

• Bending

What Is A Tic Disorder?

A tic disorder is any of a group of neurological disorders that are diagnosed in different ways. There are three main types, and each type is diagnosed differently, depending on the type of symptoms the patient is suffering and how long the symptoms have been present. These include:

Tourette's Syndrome

A tic disorder characterized by having two or more different types of tics, either vocal, phonic or muscular, although not necessarily at the same time. Patients who have been diagnosed with this type of tic disorder have usually had symptoms for longer than one year, and symptoms can vary in both frequency and intensity. Tourette's develops early in the person's childhood, usually at five to seven years of age, and gets worse as they reach puberty before decreasing in intensity or disappearing entirely before they reach 18 years old in most cases. A few people may continue to have tics into their adulthood.
 

Persistent Motor (or Vocal) Tic Disorder

With Persistent Motor/Vocal Tic Disorder, also called Chronic Motor/Vocal Tic Disorder, the person will have either motor or vocal tics, but never both, and the symptoms persist for over one year. Most people with uncontrollable tics will be diagnosed with this type of disorder. PMTD usually starts before the child reaches 18 years old, but symptoms will usually go away on their own within four to six years.

Provisional Tic Disorder

Provisional Tic Disorder is actually quite common in children. With PTD, the symptoms usually involve muscular tics accompanied by some kind of sound tic, but the symptoms have persisted for less than one year, hence this disorder can also be a very mild form of TS.

How Tic Disorder Treatment Works

Typically, most TDs improve on their own, but in cases where they cause behavioral problems, particularly those involving biting or punching themselves or others, medication may be prescribed to help bring the tics under control. Some prescriptions used for tic disorder treatment include:

Botox

Botox injections can be a temporary solution against facial and vocal tics. These work by paralyzing the facial muscles, and they're effective for about a few months. Botox injections may be paired with medications designed to treat other conditions that may be responsible for the child's tics. Consult your doctor before getting a second injection, though; your doctor may recommend you wait before getting a second injection for your child.

ADHD medications

Facial tics are often accompanied by other disorders including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Medications like Ritalin and Vyvanse that have been proven effective against ADHD have also treated tics associated with excitement and behavioral problems.

Anti-seizure medications

It has recently been discovered that some medications that were originally designed to help control epileptic seizures, such as Topamax, are also quite effective at controlling the muscle spasms associated with tics.
 

Adrenal inhibitors

Adrenal inhibitors are effective against tics that are associated with anxiety. This is because anxiety attacks are commonly triggered by an overproduction of adrenaline, a hormone that is produced by the Adrenal glands, which are located at the top of both kidneys. This hormone is what triggers our fight-or-flight response.

Antidepressants

The same brain abnormalities that are caused by depression can also trigger tics in some people, particularly those with Transient Tic Disorder or PTD.

Don’t Face Tic Disorders Alone

Your child does not have to face their TD alone; there is medical and psychological help available for those who cannot manage their symptoms themselves. Spark Wellness Group is a medical facility located in Orlando. Our doctors have helped many patients cope with the symptoms associated with TDs. If you or your child needs help, do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email or visit us at our office.