{"id":2991,"date":"2019-01-08T07:05:54","date_gmt":"2019-01-08T07:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=2991"},"modified":"2021-08-05T06:01:46","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T06:01:46","slug":"10-common-tics-seen-in-tourettes-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/10-common-tics-seen-in-tourettes-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Common Tics Seen in Tourette\u2019s Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tourette\u2019s syndrome is a condition that causes individuals to struggle with suppressing certain movements, sounds, or ritualistic behaviors. The precise cause of Tourette\u2019s is not fully understood, but it is generally agreed to be the result of some biological imbalances within the brain. It appears to have some genetic\/hereditary element and can also potentially be triggered by highly stressful events. It may also be brought about by immune disorders, or even medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourette\u2019s is more common in boys than in girls by a ratio of five to one. It is also most likely to affect younger children, though it can continue to any age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Tourette\u2019s can be a condition in itself, tics can also be symptoms of a range of other conditions. Often, those with autism or Asperger\u2019s, for instance, will demonstrate tics. Likewise, other involuntary movements such as those caused by RLS can be mistaken for tics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we will look at ten common tics that are associated with Tourette\u2019s specifically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Blinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you think of Tourette\u2019s<\/a>, you may think of someone swearing loudly or making large movements that draw attention to themselves. However, motor tics (movement tics) can often be much more subtle and may even go unnoticed. One of the most common of such tics is a repetitive blinking. This might be a succession of quick, slight blinks, or it might be larger, more exaggerated motions that look like scrunching up the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often young children will develop eye blinking which will later clear up as they get older. This can also simply form a \u2018nervous habit\u2019. If weblink when we feel anxious or awkward, then it can eventually become a habit that is hard to break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Facial Twitching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blinking is an example of a facial twitch. Likewise, others can include eye-rolling, opening and closing of the mouth, lip contractions, head jerking, and more. These tics can be distressing <\/a>for the Tourette\u2019s sufferer, as it can cause them to come across as slightly \u2018strange\u2019 during the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the tics associated with Tourette\u2019s will often worsen when an individual is under stress. Thus, if you are someone who is stressed about making a bad impression when speaking to someone, this might actually cause you to make more unusual contractions and facial expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice your child pulling unusual expressions, then this might point to a case of Tourette\u2019s, but it could also be caused by a variety of other things. One of the more common explanations is again Asperger\u2019s syndrome. Those with AS often pull unusual expressions while engaging in conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Mimicking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To demonstrate the variety and sometimes complexity of tics in those with Tourette\u2019s, it is interesting to note that sometimes a person might develop a tic whereby they mimic the person they are with. This could mean mimicking their body language and posture, or it could be repeating what they say. These are often more complex movements that might not look like involuntary tics to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While people are increasingly aware of Tourette\u2019s on the whole, many are unaware that it can take this form. Thus they might feel they are being mocked by someone who repeats what they say and this could potentially make socializing difficult for those with the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that to some extent, it is actually normal for us to mimic the body language of others. Often we mirror the way that people we are talking to are standing and this is even encouraged in some cases to build \u2018rapport\u2019. In the case of Tourette\u2019s <\/a>though, the behavior is more exaggerated and less controllable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Swearing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most well-known and publicized tics that a person might experience is an urge to swear or curse. When in quiet situations or speaking in polite company, they might be unable to suppress an urge to shout something inappropriate. For some, it might be the same curse word repeatedly. For others, it might mean a variety of different offensive language. While this is famously associated with Tourette\u2019s at this point, it is only one form that the condition can take as we have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may though be wondering why cursing, in particular, should be common for those with Tourette\u2019s. There are a few possible explanations. One is that the condition itself is all about the difficulty in suppressing and controlling one\u2019s own impulses. This can create a sense of anxiety and tension, whereby a person might find themselves thinking \u2018wouldn\u2019t it be awful if I were to swear\u2019. Perhaps a similar concern has run across your mind at some point, even though it is seemingly illogical. In the case of someone with Tourette\u2019s though, this might then become an unavoidable urge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another possibility is that swear words are actually wired slightly differently in the brain <\/a>than other types of word \u2013 potentially due to how often we use them, or how closely we associate them with things going wrong. In fact, many case studies looking at brain damage causing language loss have shown that swear words are often the only speech that remains in-tact!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Complex Movement Patterns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more surprising for some to learn is that Tourette\u2019s tics can sometimes consist of much more elaborate and complex movement patterns. They might mimic the actions of others for instance, which of course might include more elaborate gestures. They might switch position, or even \u2018flap\u2019 their arms in an unusual way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This kind of complex movement and stereotyped behavior is similarly seen in those with Asperger\u2019s syndrome<\/a>. In the case of Tourette\u2019s, the movements take on a more varied form and include those stereotyped, complex movements as well as simpler jerks, coughs, utterances and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Head Jerking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom <\/a>is head jerking. This might include suddenly moving the head forward, or suddenly moving the head upwards unusually. If these movements are strung together, they may appear almost as one long and continuous movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Torticollis (head-turning) is another common and particular head movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s important to note is that the expression of these tics can often alter over time as the condition evolves. One tic might be easily suppressed at one point, before coming back in a more exaggerated manner, or being replaced by another, different movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Bobbing and Bouncing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is common with those with Tourette\u2019s <\/a>syndrome to bounce or move their leg repeatedly, or to otherwise engage in other repetitive and rhythmic action. This is very similar to another condition, known as \u2018RLS\u2019 or \u2018restless leg syndrome\u2019. This is a condition that is entirely characterized by the tendency to move the leg up and down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this is a separate condition and the two are not necessarily linked, they do nevertheless have some commonalities. For instance, it is common for those with both conditions to describe themselves as feeling almost \u2018itchy\u2019 or a sense of urgency as they feel the need to move. Likewise, both conditions also seem linked with others, such as ADHD, and may be linked to low amounts of dopamine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Stretching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common tic is the need to constantly stretch \u2013 whether that means stretching out limbs, or the back. Again, this is another action that can also develop for other reasons. For instance, it is not uncommon to see people stretching as a habit because they are trying to crack joints or ease discomfort. Often we stretch when we have been sitting down for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This stretching though might then become almost addictive if it provides some relief. It is common for instance for people to develop habits such as cracking their knuckles or their spine and this could be seen as a similarly unusual behavior potentially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that there is also a link between Tourette\u2019s and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is a condition that is characterized by a need to engage in particular behaviors and anxiety <\/a>when those needs are not met. Common triggers, in this case, include things such as a desire to wash hands or to make sure all the lights are off when leaving the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Retching\/Burping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common tic is retching or burping. This can be quite unpleasant for those in earshot and also embarrassing for those with the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it is often assumed that those with Tourette\u2019s will have absolutely no control over the actions, in fact, they usually retain a modicum of autonomy. Usually, when the urge to engage in the tic arises, those with Tourette\u2019s <\/a>will feel a slight sensation of some sort and with some effort and discomfort, they may, therefore, be able to inhibit thetic. That said, this becomes harder as the individual becomes more tired, or if they are stressed. Likewise, as with a regular belch, it can sometimes catch a person by surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Meaningless Sounds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common tic is the creation of meaningless sounds and utterances. These can sometimes be consistent \u2013 for instance, some people will repeatedly make clicking or ticking noises \u2013 or they might be completely random and different each time. Regardless of the nature of the sounds, not all verbal tics necessarily carry any meaning and therefore might come across as completely unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to potentially help someone who struggles with Tourette\u2019s is to distract them. Often, when someone spends time watching TV or playing a computer game, this will help them to suppress their tics and to instead simply focus on whatever it is that they are doing. All of this can lead some people to mistakenly believe that they are \u2018faking it\u2019 or \u2018choosing\u2019 to make the sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this distractibility is true of many different conditions and symptoms. Even pain <\/a>can be lessened when we are deeply engrossed in another activity, task, or form of entertainment.
In short, tics can take on a wide variety of forms and are highly individualized. Not only that, but they will often vary in terms of their nature and severity over time in any sufferer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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