Nervous tics in children

Tics (popularly known as nervous tics) are a common seizure disorder seen in children. They involve the occurrence of involuntary, sudden, quick, short-lived, repetitive, non-rhythmic movements known as motor tics or the making of sounds or words - described as vocal tics. 

Nervous tics mainly occur in school-age children. However, can they also be observed in the newborn while sleeping? If, as a parent, you are wondering what they are and how to stop nervous tics in children, you want to know what the treatment looks like and if and how you can get rid of them permanently, read the article. Below we present the topic of nervous tics in a child and how to treat them.

Nervous tics in children: types

Transient tics, that is, those that last from a few weeks to several months (less than a year) occur in as many as 20% of children aged 5-10 years. The greatest intensity of symptoms is observed in age 10-11 yearshowever, their frequency and intensity decrease with age.

They occur much less frequently chronic tics, that is, those that last for more than 12 months (they may disappear, but for less than 2 months). Their frequency is estimated at 0,3-0,8% for motor tics, and slightly above 0.8% for vocal tics. Tics are twice as common in boys.

It is worth noting that with mild forms of nervous tics in children, some parents and children themselves are not aware of their occurrence.

Nervous tics in children: the age of the child

Nervous tics are usually seen in children over 4 years of ageas well as these in school age. It is worth noting that nervous tics do not occur in the newborn (also during sleep). The onset of tics in adulthood is very rare. This is often associated with drug consumption and / or damage to the central nervous system. Therefore, it is worth being vigilant if you notice symptoms such as involuntary movements in your teenager for the first time in your life:

• thumb;
• head;
• hand fingers;
• eyeballs;
• the whole body;
• limbs
• or jaws.

Nervous tics in a child: causes

The causes of tics in children are not fully understood, but it is known that we observe family cases more often. Nervous tics are more common in children:

• diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder);
• OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder);
• they can also occur after an infection (more often those caused by streptococci).

In very rare cases, a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders may occur following the action of an immune factor such as infections, autoimmune diseases, where tics may occur along with other symptoms. Such circumstances prompt an urgent visit to the doctor.

Motor, vocal and complex tics

When talking about tics, parents often mention the involuntary movements of the thumb, head, fingers, eyeballs, the whole body, limbs and jaw that their children observe. However, it is worth knowing that there are several forms of nervous tics.

Simple motor tics

The most common occurrence is simple motor tics, i.e. short tension of individual muscles, e.g. in the form of neck movements, eye blinking, shoulder flinch, facial grimaces, hand movements, and even individual fingers, e.g. the thumb.

Simple vocal tics

Simple vocal tics, e.g. grunting, barking cough, sniffling, loud swallowing etc. occur less frequently.

Complex tics

Complex tics, i.e. hitting with the hand, involuntary movements of the limbs and even the whole body, repeated repetition of heard sounds, words (echolalia), and occasional curses (coprolalia) occur even more rarely.

Characteristic for tics are the sensations they are associated with for the patient. Usually they are described as something that cannot be opposed. Until their performance, patients may feel a growing tension.

Nervous tics: how to get rid of?

A common topic in tics is this is it possible, and if so - how to stop nervous tics?

Some actually manage to stop their occurrence for a while or switch one tick for another. However, there usually comes a time when - as patients themselves often call it - "they have to stumble out." Tics often worsen under stress, high emotions and fatigue. There are slightly fewer of them during activities that require concentration. They don't usually occur in a dream.

It is not advisable to try to influence the patient by the caregivers and other people around them, so that they refrain from performing the tic. Their occurrence should not be commented on either, because it can cause stress and thus - on a vicious cycle - cause the increase of the occurrence of tics.

Nervous tics in schoolchildren

The occurrence of nervous tics during classroom activities in school-age children can be very troublesome. It is often perceived by outsiders as deliberate disturbance, making fun of the child. Caregivers should cooperate with their physician in determining the management of tics.

Nervous tics in children: treatment

The topic of nervous tics in a child and how to treat it depends on the types of tics you are dealing with. Transient tics, by definition, resolve spontaneously. Chronic tics and symptoms of the syndrome Gilles de la Tourett they have an undulating course, with periods of intensification and remission.

The issue of nervous tics in a child in the context of how to treat them should begin by emphasizing that there is no universal method of how to get rid of them.

With mild to moderate tics, there is usually no deterioration in the child's functioning. This condition does not affect his quality of life, including tic-related stress. Unfortunately, with a high intensity of tics, schoolchildren may have problems at school and in social relations. And this can cause them:

• considerable stress;
• resignation from participation in classes;
• absences at school;
• emotional problems;
• sometimes the occurrence of tics may be associated with the occurrence of injuries;
• most of the patients with the syndrome Gilles de la Tourett has accompanying disorders mental.

Child psychologist and nervous tics

The most important role in the treatment of tics is played by psychoeducation and therapy, cooperation with a child psychologist is recommended. However, nervous tics in children may require drug treatment. Sometimes the use of drugs is even necessary. A psychiatrist or pediatric neurologist should decide on the initiation of pharmacotherapy. How to treat nervous tics?

For tics related to immune factors, causal treatment can be effective. Moreover, the treatment and therapy of coexisting disorders in addition to nervous tics in children is very important. The course of treatment should always be supervised by a doctor.

Nervous tics in children and magnesium

Parents looking for help with the occurrence of nervous tics in their child often visit forums on the Internet. However, the knowledge about nervous tics in a child from the forum should not be treated as reliable. It's always better to consult a doctor. The problem of nervous tics in children and the use of magnesium can be mentioned here. It has not been proven that dietary supplements, vitamin preparations and minerals, e.g. magnesium, affect the effectiveness of tics treatment.

Treatment of nervous tics in children and the immediate environment

It plays a very important role educating people around the tic child. It allows you to avoid or limit harassment by others, and it will also reduce the risk of tics being interpreted as deliberate actions or a manifestation of disobedience.

Social acceptance helps to provide the child with a friendly environment, and thus reduce stress, which may have a positive effect on reducing the incidence of tics.

In summary, tics are a common seizure disorder in childhood. Most often they are mild. The nature of tics and their severity depend on the causes and individual characteristics of the patient. In the event of their occurrence, it is worth consulting a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and to select the appropriate treatment.

Źródła:

Barbara Steinborn: Developmental Age Neurology. 2017, PZWL;
Jones KS, Saylam E, Ramphul K. Tourette Syndrome And Other Tic Disorders. [Updated 2022 May 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499958/.