Symptoms, categories, and methods for identifying Tic Disorders explained herein.
Let's dive into the world of tics, shall we?
Tics are annoying, unrestrained, and repetitive muscle movements that can pop up anywhere in your body. The world of tics includes motor, vocal, and Tourette's syndrome.
Motor tics, like contorting your limbs or twitching your nose, apply here. Vocal tics, such as clearing your throat excessively or blurting out random words or phrases, fall under this category too.
Tics usually make their debut in a child's life around age 5, and they seem to prefer the company of females over males. However, this isn't always the case.
Many children outgrow tics within a year, but some unfortunate souls end up with a chronic case. Approximately 1 out of 100 people experience chronic tics.
Types of tic disorders
Tic disorders can be broken down into motor, vocal, or Tourette's syndrome, which is a mix of both. Transient tic disorder, a temporary form of tics, affects around 10% of children during their school years.
In cases of transient tic disorder, children may display one or more tics for at least a month but less than a year. Tics may vary both in type and severity over time. Research suggests that children with learning difficulties and those on the autism spectrum are more likely to have tics.
Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder, on the other hand, involves tics enduring for a year or longer. These tics can be motor or vocal, but not both. Less than 1% of children deal with this chronic form of tics. If the child develops chronic tics at a younger age, they have a better chance of recovery, with tics typically disappearing within 6 years.
Tourette's syndrome
Tourette's syndrome, a complex neurological disorder, is the most severe and least common tic disorder. Characterized by multiple motor and vocal tics, the exact number of people with Tourette's syndrome remains unknown. Research by the CDC indicates that half of all children with the condition go undiagnosed. Currently, 0.3% of children aged 6 to 17 in the United States have been diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome.
Symptoms of Tourette's syndrome vary in severity over time, often improving with age. The condition is commonly associated with ADHD, OCD, and anxiety.
Tics are preceded by an uncomfortable sensation, like an itch or twitch. While it's feasible to suppress the tic, doing so requires a significant amount of effort and usually triggers tension and stress. The relief comes once the tic is carried out.
Tics can intensify with emotions, such as anxiety, excitement, anger, or fatigue. They can worsen during periods of illness, extreme temperatures, or even sleep. The symptoms of tic disorders may also vary over time and improve with age.
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