A repetitive movement that is difficult, if not impossible, to control. Tics can affect any group of muscles. The most common are facial tics, such as eye- blinking, nose-twitching, or grimacing. Tics that affect the muscles used to produce speech are known as vocal tics, and can range from grunts or whistles to the repetition of complete words or phrases. Complex motor tics involve multiple, sequenced movements, and can include behaviors such as twirling in place, tapping a certain number of times, or stooping to touch the ground. You can have a tic without having Tourette's Syndrome.
Tourette's syndrome is a disorder that prominently features tics, often to the point of causing significant distress and problems functioning. It is more common in people with ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety but it can occur on its own.
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