Tic Disorders
What are they? What do they do? Who do they affect?
What are tic disorders?
A tic is a nonvoluntary body movement or vocal sound that is made repeatedly, rapidly, and suddenly. It has a stereotyped but nonrhythmic character. The child or adolescent with a tic experiences it as irresistible but can suppress the movement or noise for a period of time. Tics are categorized as motor or vocal, and as simple or complex.
What do they do?
Make people have twitches, movements, or sounds that people do repeatedly. People who have tics cannot stop their body from doing these things.
Who do tic disorders affect?
Tic disorders are three to four times more common in males than females. Tic disorders have been reported in people of all races, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic classes. Although tic disorders appear to occur more frequently in Caucasians than African Americans.