One of the most common tic disorders is Tourette's Syndrome.
Tourette's syndrome is a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted vocal sounds that are not easily controlled. These movements or sounds are known as tics, ranging from mild to severe. Severe symptoms might interfere with a person's daily activities and quality of life.
These tics can:
- Vary in type, frequency and severity
- Become worse if you're sick, stressed, anxious, tired or excited
- Occur during sleep
- Change over time
What are some of the most common tics?
Common motor tics
- Eye blinking
- Head jerking
- Shoulder shrugging
- Eye darting
- Nose twitching
- Mouth movements
- Touching or smelling objects
- Repeating observed movements
- Stepping in a specific pattern
- Obscene gesturing
- Bending or twisting
- Hopping
Common vocal tics
- Grunting
- Coughing
- Throat clearing
- Barking
- Repeating one's own words or phrases
- Repeating others' words or phrases
- Using vulgar or swear words