The tic disorder is a neurological pathology that appears frequently from childhood and manifests itself almost imperceptibly at first, since we associate it with behavioral expressions mistakenly acquired by the child.
In the following article, we give you all the necessary information about tic disorder, the causes for which it occurs and how to treat it.
What are nervous tics?
Nerve tics are movement disorders of neurological origin , which involve involuntary and repetitive movements, which are produced by the contraction of one or several muscles, generally in the face and of very short duration.
This pathology can present itself in the form of movements or sounds called motor tics or vocal tics. Vocal tics are manifested in repetitive sounds such as throat clearing or saying obscene words in an uncontrolled, involuntary and equally repeated manner.
Note: These nervous tics in most cases present from childhood and predominate more in males. (1)
Nervous tics can present separately, that is, motor tics without manifestation of vocal tics or vice versa, or a combination of both disorders, are transitory and disappear during adolescence. The treatment will depend on the evaluation carried out by the specialist doctor.
Important: Nervous tics may represent a symptom of a more complex neurological disorder called Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome. (two)
On the other hand, it has been determined that hereditary factors, neurobiological alterations, mainly in the region of the basal ganglia , and psychological factors, are the main ones involved in the appearance of tics. (3)
Why do nervous tics come out?
There are a variety of causes of psychological and neurological origin that can give rise to these tics and we will briefly describe them below:
1. Stress and anxiety
States of stress and different types of anxiety cause a series of disorders at the neurological level in terms of hormone production and an imbalance of neurological transmissions, which can exacerbate the manifestations of tics.
We must understand that stress and anxiety are not the cause of tics , but to the extent that these psychological disorders increase or decrease, tics will manifest themselves in the same way.
Important: The treatment of this disorder due to states of stress and anxiety, should be aimed at controlling these psychological disorders and thus the recurrence of these involuntary movements will be reduced.
2. Brain chemistry
Another reason why nervous tics may appear is a deficiency of gamma-aminobutyric acid , an amino acid and neurotransmitter that regulates brain excitability.
This neurotransmitter is responsible for damping the hyperactivity caused by repetitive and involuntary movements and noises of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome.
Important: The consumption of vitamin B6 through the diet guarantees, together with other enzymes, the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid. (4)
3. Post-surgery effects, brain injuries and strokes
We have already identified the main cause of this pathology, although there are still doubts, many tics scholars agree that it is mainly a genetic problem of the person.
In this context, any alteration in the structure of the central nervous system , due to surgery, brain injury or the appearance of a cerebrovascular accident, could increase the appearance of motor and vocal tics, due to a possible neurological alteration in the brain. brain.
4. Poisoning and brain infections
Likewise, when the person is intoxicated by alcoholic substances, drugs or poisons, among others, or suffers from brain infections such as meningitis, they can cause alterations in the recurrent appearance of different types of tics.
Note: These conditions affect the neurochemistry of the brain, and may accelerate the manifestation of this disorder from childhood.
5. Genetics
As we have seen, genetics plays a decisive role in the appearance of this disorder, and even more so, it has been determined that Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome carries the hereditary component in people’s genes. (5)
Note: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is by no means a fatal condition.
Types of nervous tics
This disorder according to its evolution since childhood, is classified according to its location and intensity in the following types:
This classification is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders .
1. Simple ticks
This type of transitory tic manifests itself in most cases in people from the general population, uses a certain number of muscles and usually appears between 4 and 7 years of age.
Noteworthy: In simple motor tics, movement takes milliseconds and may include eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, and limb extension. Simple vocal tics include throat clearing, sniffing, and grunting, often due to contraction of the diaphragm.
2. Complex tics
This type of disorder includes sudden, rapid, recurrent, and chronic muscle movements or vocalizations . Complex motor tics involve various muscle groups, appearing involuntary or intentional, sometimes people perform normal movements but they are out of context.
In complex vocal disorders, people utter words or phrases with or without meaning or linguistic meaning, repetitively, against their own will.
Note: These tics are generally related to other pathologies such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
3. Motor tics
In simple cases, it has as symptoms that muscle movement can occur several times a day , repetitively and involves a single muscle group, beginning before 18 years of age.
The most common examples of this movement disorder in a person would be blinking, winking, eye movements , neck twitching, nose twitching, tongue sticking out among others.
4. Vocal tics
These types of tics can be involuntary and are manifested by the repeated and uncontrolled vocalization of words or phrases out of context or intentionally.
Examples of this disorder in a person would be throat clearing, growling, snorting, clicking the tongue, squealing among others.
Note: To diagnose a person with Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome, they must manifest at least two motor tics and one vocal tic.
What to do when you have nervous tics?
Like all pathologies, this type of movement disorder creates uncertainty among people about how to approach this disease. Here are some instructions:
1. Drugs indicated by specialist
These movement disorders can be controlled with treatment through drugs duly prescribed by the specialist doctor.
The symptoms to be treated by this therapy should commonly be directed towards the symptoms that originate or exacerbate them, such as states of anxiety, stress, food, among others.
Antipsychotics or medications such as clonidine or an antiepileptic such as topiramate or others that decrease dopamine may be indicated .
In the case of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome there is no treatment with medication, pharmacotherapy is aimed at controlling or eliminating tics.
Note: Medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also be necessary to mitigate the onset of tics.
2. Psychological therapy
This treatment should be directed by a psychologist or cognitive behavioral therapist , since the scientific literature demonstrates the effectiveness of this therapy for people with movement disorder problems.
Bottom Line: Cognitive behavioral therapies are effective regardless of the severity or discomfort of tic symptoms, especially in children with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. (6)
3. Brain surgery
The practice of brain surgery is indicated for people with Tourette syndrome and consists of applying small discharges in the area of the brain (basal ganglia), which is believed to be overactivated until its activity is blocked and its purpose is to mitigate the symptoms of the syndrome, including tics.
Important: This treatment is still experimental, as the target for the stimulation is not yet clear. Surgery is reserved for very seriously ill patients due to the risks it entails, and only in those cases where the available therapies do not work.
Key Findings
- Nervous tics are involuntary and repetitive movements manifested by a person and can be motor and phonetic.
- They may represent a symptom of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome.
- Generally these tics appear from childhood and disappear during adolescence.
- There is a genetic predisposition in the appearance of this movement disorder.
- They can be treated with drugs, psychological therapy and brain surgery.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.