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Transient tic disorder

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Central nervous system
Central nervous system

Alternative Names    Return to top

Tic - transient tic disorder

Definition    Return to top

Transient tic disorder is a temporary condition in which a person makes one or many brief, repeated, difficult to control movements or noises (tics).

Causes    Return to top

Transient tic disorder is common in children.

The cause of transient tic disorder can be physical or mental (psychological). It may be a mild form of Tourette syndrome.

Symptoms    Return to top

The child may have facial tics or tics involving movement of the arms, legs, or other areas.

Tics may involve:

The tics often look like nervous behavior. Tics appear to get worse with stress and do not occur during sleep.

Sounds may also occur, such as:

Exams and Tests    Return to top

The health care provider should consider physical causes of transient tic disorder before making a diagnosis.

In order to be diagnosed with transient tic disorder, the child must have had tics almost every day for at least 4 weeks, but less than a year.

Treatment    Return to top

Health care providers recommend that family members do NOT call attention to the tics at first, because unwanted attention may make the tics worse. If tics are severe enough to cause problems in school or work, behavioral techniques and medications may help.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Simple childhood tics usually disappear over a period of months.

Possible Complications    Return to top

There are usually no complications. A chronic motor or vocal tic disorder can develop.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about a transient tic disorder, especially if it continues or disrupts your child's life. If you are not sure whether the movements are a tic or a seizure, call your health care provider right away.

Update Date: 2/13/2008

Updated by: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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