Children with Tics: When to Seek Help
As a parent, it’s natural to feel concerned when your child shows signs of tics or obsessive-compulsive behaviors. While many children experience occasional habits like repetitive movements or anxious thoughts, distinguishing between what’s normal and when professional help is needed can be difficult.
Before diving into when to seek help, it’s important to have a basic understanding of tics and/or Tourette’s symptoms in children.
Tics are sudden, repetitive movements or sounds that are difficult to control. These can be motor tics (e.g., blinking, shrugging, head jerking) or vocal tics (e.g., throat clearing, grunting, repeating words). Tics are often associated with Tourette’s syndrome, but they can occur without a Tourette’s diagnosis.
Tics can range from mild to severe. Occasional behaviors or habits may not be cause for concern, but certain signs indicate it’s time to seek professional help.
When to Seek Help: Signs Your Child’s Tics or OCD Symptoms Need Professional Intervention
As a parent, it’s natural to feel concerned when your child shows signs of tics or obsessive-compulsive behaviors. While many children experience occasional habits like repetitive movements or anxious thoughts, distinguishing between what’s normal and when professional help is needed can be difficult. This guide will help you recognize when your child’s tics or OCD symptoms may require further evaluation and how to move forward with getting the support they need.
Understanding Tics in Children
Before diving into when to seek help, it’s important to have a basic understanding of tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms in children.
Tics are sudden, repetitive movements or sounds that are difficult to control. These can be motor tics (e.g., blinking, shrugging, head jerking) or vocal tics (e.g., throat clearing, grunting, repeating words). Tics are often associated with Tourette’s syndrome, but they can occur without a Tourette’s diagnosis.
OCD involves recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing the anxiety caused by those thoughts. For example, a child may feel the urge to wash their hands multiple times a day to avoid germs or may need to check that doors are locked repeatedly to feel safe.
Both tics and OCD behaviors can range from mild to severe. Occasional behaviors or habits may not be cause for concern, but certain signs indicate it’s time to seek professional help.
Signs It’s Time to Seek Professional Help for Tics
Tics Are Interfering with Daily Life
If your child’s tics are making it hard for them to focus in school, participate in activities, or maintain social relationships, it may be time to consult a professional. For example, a child whose tics disrupt their ability to complete schoolwork or play sports without distraction may need intervention.
Tics Are Causing Physical Discomfort or Pain
Some tics, especially motor tics, can be physically uncomfortable. Repeated head jerking or eye blinking, for instance, can cause neck pain or eye strain. If your child experiences discomfort from their tics, seeking help is crucial.
Tics Have Lasted More Than a Year
Many children (up to 10%!) experience transient tics, which may come and go over a short period, typically lasting less than a year. However, if your child’s tics have persisted for longer than 12 months, they may have chronic tics or Tourette’s syndrome, which require professional assessment and potentially treatment.
Tics Are Worsening or Becoming More Complex
If your child’s tics are increasing in frequency, duration, or complexity (e.g., combining multiple motor or vocal tics), this could be a sign that their symptoms are progressing and need further evaluation.
Thankfully, there are treatment options that have evidence-based support, and high effectiveness. Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (C-BIT) has been shown to be as effective as medication treatment for Tics. Interested to learn more? You can read about C-BIT here.
