Tics and Tourette’s Disorder
Tourette Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that involves sudden, involuntary movements or vocalizations known as tics. Tics affect children, teens, and adults. Tics are often first noticed in children ages 3-4 years and tend to peak during ages 10-13 years. Facial tics are most common and 60% will have below waist tics. Males are more likely than females to experience tics. In many cases, individuals who experience tics in childhood find that they diminish or disappear entirely by adulthood. For others, tics may persist but often become less frequent or noticeable over time.
Tics are not exclusive to Tourette's, and Tic Disorders are diagnosed based on the length of time that tics have been present and the types of tics present (motor, vocal, or both). Common tic disorders include Provisional Tic Disorder, Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder. It is common for individuals with tics to also experience symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Common motor tics include:
- Eye blinking, darting, or widening
- Head nodding or head jerking
- Neck roll
- Shrugging shoulders
- Facial grimacing
- Jaw clicking or thrusting
- Body jerk or body twist
Common vocal tics include:
- Sniffing
- Snorting
- Coughing
- Throat clearing
- Animal or bird sounds
The evidence-based treatment for tics and Tourette's Disorder is called, Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). CBIT is a short-term, behavioral intervention that helps individuals with tics to make the connection between the tics and the environment, become more aware of tic urges or signals, and engage in certain actions, called competing responses to prevent or reduce the tic. The research shows that 86% of individuals who participate in CBIT will experience improvement.
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