Tic disorder ?

[aja45]

Hello, I'm French and I'm 21. For 5-6 years, I've done some weird movements :

- I crack my knuckles over my chin. I also crack my wrists by the same way, my elbows and my shoulders

- I roll my neck

- I bite my lips

 

If I don't make these movements, I can feel tension until I make it.

I would like to know if this could be a tic disorder

[Chemar]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

What you describe may be a tic disorder, but there are other issues that can also cause tics, so you may need to see a professional for eveluation and diagnosis if that is needed.

 

Tourette Syndrome is characterized by both motor tics as well as vocal tics, and you appear only to have movements, not sounds?

[aja45]

Sometimes I clear my throat : I don't know if I can consider it as a tic.

[Sheila]

Hi aja45,

 

We are glad you wrote. Yes, throat clearing is also a tic and it can qualify as a vocal tic, the others you describe are called motor tics.

 

It would seem that you do have a tic disorder. That's a general label for what you are experiencing.

 

Do you want to share any other symptoms (physical/emotional) that you may have if you want to begin focusing on what might be causing these tics?

[aja45]

First, I do my tics when I'm not doing something physically (for example, while I'm watching TV, listening to music...). In the case of cracking my fingers, I can feel a sort of tension in my arms (which can be traduced by little trembling) and, to stop this tension, I've to crack my knuckles by pushing them under my chin (which is very ugly to see). If I don't do the tic, I cannot stop thinking about it.

 

For the throat tic, it's a little bit the same thing, I can feel "something" in my throat and I've to snore and clear my throat.

 

Something I don't understand about tics after reading some websites, it's the fact they are called semi-voluntary : what does it define. When I do my tics, I'm totally aware of it so it's voluntary

[Chemar]

Hi

Have you ever been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

What you are describing reminds me of what our physician called Tourettic OCD where, to put it very simply, tics morph into OCD actions and/or OCD actions morph into tics.

Many find Cognitive Behavioral Therapy very helpful for this.

[aja45]

No, I've never been diagnosed with OCD

[Chemar]

Ok, it was just a thought as I know how the CBT helped my son with many tourettic OCD tics.

 

Also, being aware or unaware of the tics is not what makes defines them as voluntary or involuntary. For example people with TS are most often aware of their tics. They just cannot control them for long due to that "tension" to release. And often trying to suppress a tic brings an almost explosive release. The CBT assists with how to release tic "tension" in ways that are not socially embarrassing as some tics are, and also redirect in a safer way with those tics that could cause injury.

I believe what is called "habit reversal" therapy operates somewhat similarly (I don't personally like that term as imho tics aren't habits per se)

[aja45]

Ok, I agree with the fact that tics act like compulsions on me, it's a kind of obsession, if I do my tics, I "feel good"

[Sheila]

Thanks for your insights, Chemar.

 

aja45, have you ever noticed if something makes the tics worse (besides stress, which can aggravate tics in a lot of people). Like something you eat, riding in a car, playing video games, allergy season etc. ?

[aja45]

Unfortunately, I haven't noticed something which caused my tics, I don't really know why they started...

 

Maybe, I tend to tic more when I'm listening to something (in class, TV, music...) but there is no a specific fact which triggers my tics

[Sheila]

It would be good to think back and try to figure out what was going on when you first had tics start up 5 - 6 years ago. Had you moved to a new location? Start a new job? Were you sick with a virus or strep,etc -- if you can remember.

 

It would seem that something must have happened for them to start up. And then people often find things that trigger them, make them worse. You might want to read this article on triggers, if you have not already and see if anything makes a connection with you--usually things a person with tics doesn't think about unless they start to focus on them. See here.

[aja45]

Hi again,

 

I've noticed something in my life : when I go on stairs, I like finish them with my left foot. Is it a kind of OCD or not ?

[Chemar]

Yes, that and other things you have described do sound like OCD, but only a qualified professional can actually diagnose that.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) by a licensed and qualified CBT therapist is believed to be one of the most effective ways to deal with OCD