What are Tics in Tourette Syndrome?

Tics are sudden, quick, repetitive, and involuntary movements or sounds caused by a nervous system disorder. People who experience tics cannot stop their bodies from performing them. It can be compared to hiccups; although you do not want to hiccup, your body does it automatically. Sometimes, people can suppress a specific tic for a short period, but doing so is difficult, and eventually, the tic must occur [1].

Types of Tics

Tics are generally divided into two main types: motor and vocal, and they can be simple or complex [1]:

• Motor Tics: These are body movements. Simple motor tics include eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, or arm jerking. Complex motor tics involve patterns of coordinated movements that involve multiple muscle groups, such as head bobbing combined with arm jerking and then jumping [1].
• Vocal Tics: These are sounds a person makes with their voice. Simple vocal tics include humming, throat clearing, or grunting. Complex vocal tics include repeating the person's own words or phrases, repeating the words of others (echolalia), or using vulgar words (coprolalia), although the latter is not common in most cases of Tourette syndrome [1][2].

Tourette Syndrome and Tics

Tourette syndrome is a chronic tic disorder characterized by the presence of both motor and vocal tics. To diagnose Tourette syndrome, tics must have been present for at least one year, must have started before age 18, and must not be caused by medication, other substances, or other medical conditions [3]. Tourette syndrome symptoms often begin between the ages of 5 and 10, with motor tics in the head and neck area being common initial symptoms [1].

The types and frequency of tics can change significantly over time. In most cases, tics decrease during adolescence and early adulthood and may disappear completely, but many people continue to experience tics in adulthood, and in some cases, tics may worsen during this stage [1].

Diagnosis and Treatment

There is no single test, such as a blood test, to diagnose Tourette syndrome. Doctors rely on reviewing a person's symptoms to diagnose Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders [1]. It is important to note when the tics began and how long the symptoms have persisted to help healthcare providers make an accurate diagnosis [1].

There is no cure for Tourette syndrome, but treatments are available to help manage tics. If tics are mild and do not significantly affect daily life, a person may not need treatment. However, medications and behavioral therapies are available if tics cause pain or injury, interfere with school, work, or social life, or cause stress [1]. You can read more about Tourette syndrome: Understanding Tics, Diagnosis, and Support options on ClinicsJo (Arabic).

When Should You Seek Medical Help?

If you notice the onset of sudden, repetitive movements or sounds in your child, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider. Some tics may seem like other issues; for example, some parents may think frequent eye blinking is related to vision problems, or that grunting is related to seasonal allergies [2]. Early and accurate diagnosis helps in determining the appropriate support and treatment plan [3]. In rare cases, atypical symptoms or those beginning in adulthood may require additional expertise for diagnosis [2].

Medical references

• About Tourette Syndrome
• Tourette Syndrome
• Diagnosing Tic Disorders