Tics are sudden movements or vocalizations that one experiences involuntarily. There are two types of tics: motor or vocal. Examples of motor tics include blinking, facial grimaces, shoulder shrugs, head jerking, or lower body movements. Examples of vocal tics include throat clearning, grunting, or repeating words/sounds. Both motor & vocal tics can be simple (only consisting of one movement or sound) or complex (consisting of multiple movements and/or sounds). For many people, tics appear between the ages of 5 and 7 years old and are a chronic problem that waxes and wanes throughout the lifespan. There are three primary tic disoders: transient tic disorder, chronic tic disorder, and Tourette Syndrome. Tourette Syndrome’s is diagnosed when an individual has experienced at least 2 motor tics & at least 1 vocal tic (not necessarily at the same time). These tics may have waxed and waned in frequency, but have ultimately occurred for more than 1 year and have appeared before the age of 18.
