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Chronic Tic Disorder

Chronic tic disorder is a neurological problem that causes a person to make involuntary movements or sounds (tics). About 1 to 2 percent of the population has the disorder, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

  1. Features

    • Tics may be simple or complex. Motor tics may range from blinking and grimacing to running and jumping. Vocal tics may be as simple as coughing and sniffing or as complex as cursing, according to the University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry.

    Identification

    • Chronic tic disorder is diagnosed when either vocal or motor tics have been present almost every day for more than a year, and they have not gone away for more than three months.

    Time Frame

    • Symptoms are more likely to be temporary when they begin between the ages of 6 and 8, according to the National Library of Medicine. If chronic tic disorder persists after the age of 20, it is more likely to be a lifelong problem.

    Treatment

    • When tics prevent normal daily functions, dopamine blockers may be prescribed to help control the disorder. Psychotherapy and family therapy may also help.

    Considerations

    • Chronic tic disorder differs from Tourette syndrome because motor and vocal tics are not both present at the same time. Tourette syndrome is diagnosed when a person has had both motor and vocal tics for at least one year, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

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