Tics

What are tics? 

Tics are relatively brief, sudden, rapid, and intermittent movements (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics).

They may be repetitive and stereotypic.

Tics are usually abrupt in onset and brief (clonic tics) but may be slow and sustained (dystonic tics).

Examples of even more prolonged tics (tonic tics) include abdominal or limb tensing.

Simple tics are caused by contractions of only one group of muscles and result in a brief, jerk-like movement or single, meaningless sound.

Motor tics may also be complex, consisting of coordinated sequenced movements that resemble normal motor acts but are inappropriately intense and timed.

Complex vocal tics include linguistically meaningful utterances and verbalizations.

Tics, especially if dystonic, are associated with premonitory feelings that are relieved by performing the tics.

Unlike other hyperkinetic dyskinesias, tics may be temporarily suppressed, leading some authors to suggest that in many patients they are purposefully, albeit irresistibly, performed.

Phenomenologic Classification of Tics

Motor TicsVocal Tics
Simple ticsSimple tics
Clonic ticsBlowing
BlinkingCoughing
Head jerkingGrunting
Nose twitchingScreaming
Dystonic ticsSneezing
Abdominal tensingSqueaking
BlepharospasmSucking
BruxismThroat clearing
Oculogyric movementsComplex tics
Shoulder rotationCoprolalia (shouting of obscenities)
Sustained mouth openingEcholalia (repetition of someone else’s phrases)
TorticollisPalilalia (repetition of one’s own utterances, complex tics, or phrases)
Complex tics
Copropraxia (obscene gestures)
Echopraxia (imitating gestures)
Head shaking
Hitting
Jumping
Kicking
Throwing
Touching
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