Tic Disorders

Tics can range from mild to severe. Most tics are mild and hardly noticeable. However, in some cases, they are frequent and severe and can affect a child’s ability to function in many different areas, including at home, school, and work.

Types of Tic Disorders

The different types of tic disorders in children include:

• Chronic Tic Disorder: With this disorder, a child has either one or more motor or vocal tics that last for more than a year. This type of tic disorder is rare. In some cases, chronic tics may be a sign of Tourette's disorder.
• Provisional Tic Disorder: A child with this disorder has multiple motor and/or vocal tics that last for at least a month, but not more than a year. Tics are usually mild and hard to notice but may increase in frequency when a child is tired, nervous, or stressed. Provisional tic disorder is the most common type of tic disorder in children. This disorder goes away on its own and does not require treatment

Treatment

If your child has provisional tic disorder, the tics will go away on their own, and your child does not require treatment. If your child has chronic tic disorder or another type of tic disorder, treatment depends on the type of tics but may include medication to control the symptoms and psychoeducation.

Learn about mental health treatment options