Childhood Tics And Tourette's Disorder
What is a "tic disorder"?
A tic disorder is a mental health disorder with specific criteria. You either move in a certain way or you say certain things compulsively. An example of a tic disorder would be stuttering or blinking your eyes uncontrollably,
Will my child outgrow his tics?
Children can outgrow their tics again, based on the severity of the tic and the triggering process if it. If it's an anxiety based behavior, addressing that anxiety and developing appropriately may take care of the tic all on its own. Medication may be needed at certain times when a child will tic, whether that's in an anxiety type of situation, speaking or behaving in front of other people or having to perform. Otherwise, they may not need their medication. It all depends on the severity of the tic case, the child and the family.
What is "Tourette's disorder"?
Tourette's disorder is a type of tic disorder that has a vocal or motor component to it that is, again, uncontrollable and usually needing medication in its treament regimen, as well as behavioral treatment. You will know if your child has Tourette's in the overall tic disorder evaluation process. Of the types of tics, that will be addressed as well. Depending on the criteria of the tic -- the time, the day, the triggers -- they will fall within a certain category of tic, and Tourette's might be the type you fall into.
What are the most common treatments for a child with a tic disorder?
The common treatments for tic disorders can be, again, a combination of medication and behavioral interventions. The medications usually lower anxiety and change some brain chemicals that lower the abilities for the motoric and the vocal manifestations. And the behavioral treatment addresses the anxieties and giving them the tools to be able to overcome that anxiety which may be the trigger of the tic disorder.
What is the prognosis for a child with a tic disorder?
Prognosis for a child with a tic disorder is very good if addressed early and a treatment plan and approach is put into place and adhered to. If you get it seen to early and you diagnose it then you stick to the plan that you've agreed to involving medication and/or behavioral intervention, you'll get a 92-98 percent resolution, or at least a large control of it.
