Tic Disorder
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
A tic is a repeated movement or sound that happens suddenly and is uncontrollable. A tic disorder starts in childhood, usually between 7 and 12 years of age. Your child's tic disorder may be mild or severe. He or she may have a tic for a short time, or he or she may have it for the rest of his or her life.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:
- Your child tells you he or she feels like hurting himself or herself, or others.
- Your child has hurt himself or herself, or someone else.
Seek care immediately if:
- Your child gets very upset, threatens someone, or is violent.
Call your child's doctor or neurologist if:
- Your child is not sleeping well or sleeps more than usual.
- Your child has trouble in school or becomes depressed or anxious.
- Your child is having muscle spasms or trouble walking.
- Your child has new tics, or his or her tics are getting worse or preventing him or her from doing daily activities.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
Medicines:
- Medicines may be given if your child's tics are painful, harmful, or make it hard for him or her to do daily activities. Medicines may be given to help decrease your child's tics. Some of the medicines may also help control anxiety, mood swings, or aggressive behavior. Some medicines may also help your child sleep.
- Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Help support your child:
- Be patient. Remember that your child is not choosing to have tics. He or she is not acting out or trying to cause behavior problems. Punishment will not stop him or her from having tics. A calm and patient approach may help make the tics less severe or happen less often.
- Help your child manage stress. Your child may have fewer tics when he or she is concentrating, doing activities, or sleeping. His or her tics may be worse when he or she is alone, stressed, tired, excited, or worried. It may help to create a regular schedule. For example, set up time during the day for your child to do his or her homework. This can help prevent him or her from trying to finish at the last minute.
- Do not focus on the tic. The tic may get worse the more your child thinks about it. Help him or her focus on his or her strengths and interests. Do not let a tic disorder define your child.
- Create a regular sleep schedule. Have your child go to bed at the same time every night. Make sure he or she will be able to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Lack of sleep can make a tic worse.
- Encourage your child to let the tic out as soon as possible. The longer he or she tries to hold back the tic, the worse it may be when it happens. Your child may have warning signs before his or her tics begin, such as feeling cold, warm, itchy, tingly, or heavy. When the tic occurs, these feelings go away. At times, your child may be able to stop a tic from occurring. This may cause discomfort or a feeling of pressure in his or her body, causing him or her to have many tics afterwards.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Follow up with your child's doctor or neurologist as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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