Transient tic disorder is a childhood disorder characterized by uncontrollable muscle contractions or vocal sounds. There is no cure, but behavior therapy and medication can help if tics become severe. The causes are not well understood, but environmental factors and brain defects may play a role. Parents and teachers should avoid drawing attention to the child’s tics, and doctors may prescribe medication or counseling if necessary.
Transient tic disorder is a common childhood disorder. It is characterized by uncontrollable and subtle muscle contractions or vocal sounds such as grunts or clicks. The condition is usually short-lived, lasting less than a year. There is no cure for transient tic disorder, and most doctors simply encourage parents to avoid drawing attention to the problem and to wait for symptoms to improve on their own. Behavior therapy and medications may be considered if a child’s tics become severe enough to affect school and home life.
The exact causes of transient tic disorder are not well understood. It seems that the symptoms can be both physiological and psychological in nature. Like more severe tics, such as Tourette syndrome, a child may have a minor brain defect or chemical deficiency that causes unusual electrical activity. As a result, the central nervous system can trigger sporadic muscle spasms. Environmental factors such as stress and fatigue appear to make tics worse in many patients, indicating a psychological link to the problem.
Every case of transient tic disorder is different. Some children experience only one type of tic, such as the urge to blink or lip smack. Others experience multiple tics that occur at the same time or in succession. Common facial tics include grimacing, sticking out the tongue, and flaring nostrils. A child may also clench fists, kick, raise an arm, or shrug a shoulder. Vocalizations such as snorting, grunting, or hissing may also occur.
In most cases, the transient symptoms of tic disorder are barely noticeable and do not seriously affect a child’s daily life. Parents who observe a worsening problem should schedule a medical visit. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and run a series of diagnostic tests to see if the problems are related to a more serious condition. EEGs, MRI scans, and blood tests help rule out seizure disorders, viral infections, and obvious brain defects. If no underlying problem is found, the doctor typically schedules periodic checkups over the course of a year to see if the tics start to improve.
Parents, siblings, and teachers can help a child with transient tic disorder by simply ignoring him. Bringing attention to the problem, even in the form of sympathy, can increase the child’s awareness and anxiety which can cause symptoms to worsen. If the tics become frequent or severe enough to disrupt daily life, doctors may consider prescribing muscle relaxants or medications to reduce anxiety. Many older child and adolescent patients benefit from regular sessions with counselors who can help them understand the disorder and learn about different stress reduction techniques.
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