What’s a tic disorder?

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Tic disorders are muscle spasms that can be caused by various conditions and worsened by stress. Acute tics are common, while chronic tics may require treatment. Simple tics are common and often diminish with rest, while complex tics can be a sign of more serious disorders. Rest and acupuncture can help treat simple tics, while medication may be prescribed for chronic tics. Tic disorders are often misunderstood and associated with mental health issues, but they are usually temporary and not harmful.

A tic disorder is an often uncontrollable muscle spasm in the body. It can be caused by a variety of conditions and can get much worse in situations that put stress on the body. Acute tics are quite common and can be experienced by anyone. Chronic tics that don’t regress can be a sign of a tic disorder, which may require treatment or medication.
Nervous tics are often noted in children who have not yet reached puberty. Commonly, these tics subside within a few months to years. Some experts believe that the rapid twitch movement is not entirely involuntary and can be controlled to some extent. Anxiety and stress can reduce the body’s ability to control a tic, leading to an increased frequency of tic symptoms experienced during times of fatigue.

Most often, tics take the form of a spasm of a muscle group. Often, people will experience muscle twitching around their eyes, lips, legs, or wrists. You may also experience vocal or phonic tics, leading to coughing or throat clearing. These types are called simple tics and often diminish with rest.

Complex tics are less common and can be a sign of more serious disorders. They can be difficult to distinguish from compulsive disorders and can take the form of large repetitive movements or compulsive screaming. Complex tics are often associated with variations of Tourettes syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by multiple physical and phonic nervous tics.

If you are experiencing a tic caused by nerves or anxiety, rest. As your body relaxes, your ability to regain movement control will increase. Some complementary medicinal practices recommend acupuncture as a means to help treat simple tics. If the condition gets worse or doesn’t ease after a few days, you may want to see your doctor. They can determine whether the condition is likely temporary or permanent and may be able to prescribe medications to reduce the spasm.

Tic disorder is often misunderstood or misidentified, leading to enormous confusion about what a tic means or suggests. The disorder is often described as obsessive-compulsive disorder or severe Tourette’s syndrome, much to the chagrin of those who suffer from a recurring tic disorder. While some media stories attempt to portray the condition accurately, nervous tics are often treated as comedic fodder and even associated with a lack of intelligence or mental health issues. It is important to understand that most nervous tics are the body’s natural reaction to stress, are temporary, and while irritating, are usually not harmful.




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