Tic Disorders

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TIC DISORDERS

http://www.icondata.com/health/pedbase/files/TICDISOR.HTM

(Defining Tics- information cut and pasted)

Tics are repetitive movements that are sometimes called

nervous habits or habit spasms. They are very common,

especially in young children, and usually don't cause

serious problems. However, sometimes tics last for long

periods of time and become very disruptive. They might then

be classified as a true disorder. One of the most severe

tic disorders is called Tourette's syndrome.

What causes the problem?

The causes of tics vary from simple habits to complex

inherited disorders. The most serious tics seem to be

related to an abnormal transmission of messages from the

brain. They have been compared to an itch that cries out

for a scratch or a sneeze that can be held in but feels so

much better when it is let out.

When tics affect the muscles, they are referred to as motor

tics. Examples of these are eye blinking, hair tossing, and

lip smacking. More complex motor tics include actions like

jumping up and spinning around in the air. A tic is

considered chronic if it lasts more than 6 months.

Sometimes several tics occur together, and this is called

multifocal tic disorder.

Vocal tics are also common and include such noises as

sniffing, grunting, throat clearing, coughing, and

squealing. These are called simple vocal tics. More complex

vocal tics include repeating what is heard (echolalia),

repeating your own words over and over (palilalia), and

intrusion of offensive or profane words into normal speech

(coprolalia).

All Family Resources: Tic Disorders 35

http://www.familymanagement.com/facts/english/facts35.html

Tic Disorders twitch informations at All Family Resources,

a quality resources for information and services for

managing families

Tic Disorders Specialty Clinic

http://www.uwm.edu/~dwoods/newpage11.htm