noun
definition
A sudden, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalization.
definition
(by extension) Something that is done or produced habitually or characteristically.
definition
(abbreviation) ticket
Examples of tics in a Sentence
Complex vocal tics typically involve the involuntary expression of words.
As of 2004, the most effective treatment of tics associated with Tourette syndrome involved the use of drugs such as haloperidol, pimozide, sulpiride, and tiapride, which decrease the amount of dopamine in the body.
They are not used in people who have motor tics, whose brothers or sisters have tics or a family history of Tourettes syndrome.
Tourette syndrome (TS) is an inherited disorder of the nervous system, characterized by a variable expression of unwanted movements and noises (tics).
The symptoms of Tourette syndrome are usually motor and/or vocal tics, although in some children other symptoms such as socially inappropriate comments, and socially inappropriate or self-injurious behaviors sometimes occur.
Some studies suggest that the tics in Tourette syndrome are caused by an increased amount of a neurotransmitter called dopamine.
The principal symptoms of Tourette syndrome include simple and complex motor and vocal tics.
Simple motor tics are characterized by brief muscle contractions of only one or a small number of muscle groups.
Complex motor tics tend to appear more complicated and purposeful than simple tics and involve coordinated contractions of several muscle groups.
Some examples of complex motor tics include the act of hitting oneself or jumping.
Vocal tics are actually manifestations of motor tics that involve the muscles required for producing sound.
Simple vocal tics include stuttering, stammering, abnormal emphasis of part of a word or phrase, and inarticulate noises such as throat clearing, grunts, and high-pitched sounds.
The involuntary echoing of the last word, phrase, sentence, or sound vocalized by oneself (phalilalia) or by another person or sound in the environment (echolalia) are also classified as complex tics.
Tourette syndrome has a variable age of onset, and tics can start anytime between infancy and age 18.
Most individuals with symptoms initially experience simple muscle tics involving the eyes and the head.
These symptoms can progress to tics involving the upper torso, neck, arms, hands, and occasionally the legs and feet.
Complex motor tics are usually the latest-onset motor tics.
Vocal tics usually have a later onset than motor tics.
Several factors appear to affect the severity and frequency of tics.
Stress appears to increase the frequency and severity of tics, while concentration on another part of the body that is not involved in a tic can result in the temporary alleviation of symptoms.
Relaxation following attempts to suppress the occurrence of tics may result in an increased frequency of tics.
An increased frequency and severity of tics can also result from exposure to such drugs as steroids, cocaine, amphetamines, and caffeine.
The initial tics usually initially involve the face or head, but the doctor should be consulted if any uncontrolled repetitive behavior is observed.
Diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that some tics appear to be within the range of normal behavior.
For example, an individual who only exhibits such tics as throat clearing and sniffing may be misdiagnosed with a medical problem such as allergies.
In addition, such bizarre and complex tics as coprolalia may be mistaken for psychotic or so-called bad behavior.
Diagnosis is also made more difficult because often individuals attempt to control tics in public, and, therefore, the healthcare professional may have difficulty observing the symptoms firsthand.
Psychological treatments such as counseling are not generally useful for the treatment of tics but can be beneficial in the treatment of associated symptoms such as obsessive-compulsive behavior and attention deficit disorder.
Psychological interventions may also help people cope better with stressors that can normally trigger tics.
In many cases, treatment of associated conditions such as ADD and OCD is considered more important than the tics themselves.
Stimulants should be used with caution in individuals with Tourette syndrome, since they can sometimes increase the frequency and severity of tics.
Children with Tourette syndrome often have problems socializing because of embarrassment over uncontrollable tics and negative reactions from parents, teachers, and peers who do not understand the disorder.
Approximately 15 to 30 percent of children with ADHD have underlying Tourette's disorder, a condition marked by vocal and motor tics.
Starting treatment with methylphenidate or amphetamines may unmask the condition, and the tics will become apparent.
Involuntary movements due to tics can be observed.
Tics are categorized as motor or vocal, and as simple or complex.
Tics are a type of dyskinesia, which is the general medical term given to impairments or distortions of voluntary movements.
Although tics vary considerably in severity, they are associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders in children and adolescents.
Tics most commonly affect the child's face, neck, voice box, and upper torso but may involve almost any body part.
Having tics may be compared to having the sensation of having to cough because something is tickling one's throat or nose.
Simple tics involve only a few muscles or sounds that are not yet words.
Examples of simple motor tics include nose wrinkling, facial grimaces, eye blinking, jerking the neck, shrugging the shoulders, or tensing the muscles of the abdomen.
Simple vocal tics include grunting, clucking, sniffing, chirping, or throat-clearing noises.
Complex tics involve multiple groups or muscles or complete words or sentences.
Two specific types of complex motor tics that often cause parents concern are copropraxia, in which the tic involves a vulgar or obscene gesture, and echopraxia, in which the tic is a spontaneous imitation of someone else's movements.
Sensory tics are less common than either motor or vocal tics.
Phantom tics are the least common type of tic.
People with phantom tics experience temporary relief from the tic by touching or scratching the object involved.
Tics typically occur in bouts or episodes alternating with periods of tic-free behavior lasting from several seconds to several hours.
Some children have tics during the lighter stages of sleep or wake up during the night with a tic.