In previous months, we have covered ADHD, depression, and a ton more mental health topics. Tic disorders are mental health disorders that are commonly stigmatized due to the physical and verbal movements that it involves. In this article, Deenie talks about the different types of tic disorders and how they affect people.
*Disclaimer*
This article talks about serious topics that may trigger some individuals. The goal of this article is to inform readers about mental illnesses and how to better navigate life in a world where a lot of people struggle. Please continue with caution.
The knowledge of mental health is continuously evolving with the development of technology, more funds in studies, and treatments that are produced. Due to the ever-changing nature of mental health, the information that is provided in these articles is as up-to-date as possible with the resources that are available but may not be entirely accurate, as additional information expands.
Photo credit: Healthline
When people think about tic disorders, they most commonly associate it with tons of cursing or randomly screaming out rude phrases-- which isn’t always true. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines tics as “sudden twitches, movements, or sounds that people do repeatedly.”
Tic disorders are neurological disorders that are triggered through the basal ganglia, which is the part of the brain that is in charge of motor control. When something happens with the basal ganglia, whether developed or given at birth, it can cause tics to occur.
Tic disorders are neurological disorders that are triggered through the basal ganglia, which is the part of the brain that is in charge of motor control. When something happens with the basal ganglia, whether developed or given at birth, it can cause tics to occur.
These disorders commonly show up between the ages of two to fifteen and the most average age group it occurs in is six. MayoClinic states that “Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome” and the Tourette Association of America believes that “Tics occur in as many as 1 in 5 school-aged children.” It is also suggested that over 500,000 children have a tic disorder in the US.
There are four different types of tics: motor, vocal, simple, and complex.
The CDC (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention) explains the four types of tics and how they may occur in a person.
Motor tics occur through movements in the body. Some examples would be “blinking, shrugging the shoulders, or jerking an arm.”
Vocal tics occur through noises that a person makes with their voice. It could be yelling, coughing, giggling, and a ton more.
Motor and vocal tics are the most common. They can happen at the same time and can be extremely subtle and not bothersome to the individual that has them.
Simple tics would be scrunching of the nose and entails movement of some parts of the body.
“Complex tics usually involve several different parts of the body and can have a pattern. An example of a complex tic is bobbing the head while jerking an arm, and then jumping up.”
There are three main types of tic disorders: provisional, persistent or chronic, and tourette syndrome.
Provisional Tic Disorder
The National Library of Medicine defines provision tic disorder as “a condition in which a person makes one or many brief, repeated, movements, or noises” that are involuntary. It is most commonly found in children. The CDC describes how a person can be diagnosed with a provisional tic disorder. The criteria are as follows:
A person has to have one or more motor tics. Motor tics are physical movements of the body, which include, but are not limited to: “blinking or shrugging the shoulders.” The individual could also have a vocal tic, which is humming or saying a word and/or phrase.
Tics must “have been present for no longer than 12 months in a row.”
Due to this being a more common tic disorder found in kids, the tics must have started before the age of 18 years old to be diagnosed.
Persistent/Chronic Tic Disorder
Chronic Tic Disorder is categorized in two groups, vocal or motor. This condition involves quick, uncontrollable movements or vocal outbursts,” but it does not include both, according to MountSinai.Org. The CDC also outlines the guidelines of how a person may be diagnosed with a chronic tic disorder. Those are as follows:
One or more motor tics or vocal tics: it must be one or the other but not both.
Tics must happen multiple times a day and almost every day (on and off) for more than a year
Started before the age of 18 years old
Chronic tic disorder differs from provisional tic disorder because it can only have a motor tic or a vocal tic. It is believed by PsychologyToday, that “tics are at least twice as common in boys as in girls, and symptoms usually begin before a child reaches puberty.” The average age that this type of disorder starts is between the ages of four and six, but it is most severe when kids hit the age of ten to twelve.
Tourette's Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is the least common type of tic disorder but it is the most portrayed in mainstream media. It is most associated with the stigma of screaming bad words or yelling weird phrases, but it actually does not differ too much from the other tic disorders. MayoClinic outlines the definition of tourette's as “a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds that can’t be easily controlled,” it is a condition of the nervous system and is involuntary. It is also sometimes paired with other disorders like OCD and PANDAS, to read more about those, please click the links below.
For a person to be diagnosed with TS, they must meet the following criteria noted by the CDC:
“Have two or more motor tics and at least one vocal tic.” Tics may not occur at the same time.
Tics must occur for at least a year and happen many times a day, nearly every day,
Tics must have had to begin before the age of 18 years old
Like most mental health disorders, especially tic disorders, there is not a lot of treatment. Most treatments for these conditions come from medicine. MayoClinic outlines some treatments that are used. Medicines like Fluphenazine, Haloperidol, or Pimozide that block or lessen dopamine are some medications that are used as treatment. Others are Botox to help with motor tics, antidepressants, and antiseizure medications. Some people also go through behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and deep brain stimulation (DBS).
Mental health is something that no one chooses to grapple with, but it is a struggle that a lot of people have to deal with. Most mental health disorders are something that stays with an individual throughout their whole life and, with limited access to mental health resources, it is extremely difficult to overcome without any support. Be kind to others, whether or not you know what they are going through.
Grants Pass High School Has These Student Services:
Shani Hulst: Social Emotional Counselor
Contact: shulst@grantspass.k12.or.us
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Hotline:
US: Text HOME to 741741 to be connected with a Crisis Counselor
They are there to help. If you need it, please ask. You do not have to fight this battle alone.
