A tic is a sudden, repetitive, stereotyped, nonrhythmic, involuntary movement (motor tic) or sound (phonic tic) that involves discrete groups of muscles. Tics can be invisible to the observer (e.g.; abdominal tensing or toe crunching). Movements of other movement disorders (e.g.; chorea, dystonia, myoclonus) must be distinguished from tics. Other conditions (e.g.; autism, stereotypic movement disorder) also include movements which may be confused with tics. Tics must also be distinguished from compulsions of OCD and seizure activity. Families Ixodidae - Hard ticks Argasidae - Soft ticks Nuttalliellidae - ????? ticks Wikispecies has information related to: Ixodoidea Tick is the common name for the small arachnids that, along with other mites, constitute the order Acarina. ... In property law, tenants in common are co-owners of real property that are regarded by the law as each owning separate and distinct shares which may differ in size. ... For the term used in computing, see stereotype (UML). ... List of Movement disorders Akinesia (lack of movement) Athetosis (contorted torsion or twisting) Ataxia Ballismus (violent involuntary rapid and irregular movements) Hemiballismus Bradykinesia (slow movement) Chorea (rapid, involuntary movement) Sydenhams chorea Rheumatic chorea Huntingtons chorea Dystonia (sustained torsion) Dystonia muscularum Blepharospasm Writers cramp Spasmodic torticollis (twisting of... // Chorea sancti viti (Latin for St. ... Dystonia (literally, abnormal muscle tone) is a generic term used to describe a neurological movement disorder involving involuntary, sustained muscle contractions. ... Myoclonus is brief, involuntary twitching of a muscle or a group of muscles. ... Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior, all exhibited before a child is three years old. ... This page may meet Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... For other things named OCD, see OCD (disambiguation). ... This article is about epileptic seizures. ...

Description and classification

Tics are classified as motor vs. phonic, and simple vs. complex.

Motor tics are movement-based tics affecting discrete muscle groups.

Phonic tics are involuntary sounds produced by moving air through the nose, mouth, or throat. They may be alternately referred to as verbal tics or vocal tics, but most diagnosticians prefer the term phonic tics to reflect the notion that the vocal cords are not involved in all tics that produce sound.^[1] Laryngoscopic view of the vocal folds. ...

Tics may increase as a result of stress, tiredness, or high energy emotions, which can include negative emotions, such as anxiety, but positive emotions as well, such as excitement or anticipation. Relaxation may result in a tic decrease or a tic increase (for instance, watching television or using a computer), while concentration in an absorbing activity often leads to a decrease in tics.^[2][3] Neurologist and writer Oliver Sacks describes a physician with severe Tourette syndrome, (Canadian Mort Doran, M.D., a pilot and surgeon in real life, although a pseudonym was used in the book), whose tics remit almost completely while he is performing surgery.^[4][5] In medical terms, stress is the disruption of homeostasis through physical or psychological stimuli. ... Fatigue is a feeling of excessive tiredness or lethargy, with a desire to rest, perhaps to sleep. ... Anxiety is a physiological state characterized by cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral components (Seligman, Walker & Rosenhan, 2001). ... Oliver Sacks in 2005. ... “Tourette” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Aviator (disambiguation). ... Surgeon may refer to: a practitioner of surgery the moniker of British electronic music producer and DJ, Anthony Child; see Surgeon (musician) This is a disambiguation page—a list of articles associated with the same title. ... A pseudonym (Greek: , pseudo + -onym: false name) is an artificial, fictitious name, also known as an alias, used by an individual as an alternative to a persons legal name. ...

Immediately preceding tic onset, most individuals are aware of an urge^[6] that is similar to the need to sneeze or scratch an itch. Individuals describe the need to tic as a buildup of tension^[7] which they consciously choose to release, as if they "had to do it".^[8] Examples of this premonitory urge are the feeling of having something in one's throat, or a localized discomfort in the shoulders, leading to the need to clear one's throat or shrug the shoulders. The actual tic may be felt as relieving this tension or sensation, similar to scratching an itch. Another example is blinking to relieve an uncomfortable sensation in the eye.

Tics are described as semi-voluntary or "unvoluntary",^[9] because they are not strictly involuntary—they may be experienced as a voluntary response to the unwanted, premonitory urge. A unique aspect of tics, relative to other movement disorders, is that they are suppressible yet irresistible;^[10] they are experienced as an irresistible urge that must eventually be expressed.^[9] Some people with tics may not be aware of the premonitory urge. Children may be less aware of the premonitory urge associated with tics than are adults, but their awareness tends to increase with maturity.^[9]

Simple tics

Simple motor tics are typically sudden, brief, meaningless movements, such as eye blinking or shoulder shrugging. Motor tics can be of an endless variety and may include such movements as hand-clapping, neck stretching, mouth movements, head, arm or leg jerks, and facial grimacing.

A simple phonic tic can be almost any possible sound or noise, with common vocal tics being throat clearing, coughing, sniffing, or grunting.

Complex tics

Complex motor tics are typically more purposeful-appearing and of a longer nature. Examples of complex motor tics are pulling at clothes, touching people, touching objects, echopraxia and copropraxia. Etymology: Greek echo (repetition) and praxia (action). Echopraxia is the involuntary repetition or imitation of the observed movements of another. ... Etymology: Greek copro feces and praxia (action). Copropraxia is involuntarily performing obscene or forbidden gestures. ...

Complex phonic tics may fall into various categories, including echolalia (repeating words just spoken by someone else), palilalia (repeating one's own previously spoken words), lexilalia (repeating words after reading them) and coprolalia (the spontaneous utterance of socially-objectionable or taboo words or phrases). Coprolalia is a highly-publicized symptom of Tourette syndrome; however, according to the Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. (TSA), fewer than 15% of TS patients exhibit coprolalia.^[11][12] Echolalia is the repetition or echoing of verbal utterances made by another person. ... Palilalia is the repetition or echoing of ones own spoken words. ... Coprolalia is involuntary swearing or the involuntary utterance of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks. ... “Tourette” redirects here. ... The Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA), based in Bayside, New York, United States, is a non-profit voluntary organization, founded in 1972 by a group of parents of children with Tourette syndrome. ...

Complex tics are rarely seen in the absence of simple tics. Tics "may be challenging to differentiate from compulsions",^[13] as in the case of klazomania (compulsive shouting). Klazomania refers to compulsive shouting. ...

Tic disorders

Main article: Tic disorder

Tic disorders occur along a spectrum, ranging from mild to more severe, and are classified according to duration and severity (transient tics, chronic tics, or Tourette syndrome). Tourette syndrome is the more severe expression of a spectrum of tic disorders, which are thought to be due to the same genetic vulnerability. Nevertheless, most cases of Tourette syndrome are not severe.^[12] The treatment for the spectrum of tic disorders is similar to the treatment of Tourette syndrome. A tic is a repeated, impulsive action, almost reflexive in nature, which the actor feels powerless to control or avoid. ... Tourette syndrome (also Tourettes syndrome or TS) is an inherited neurological disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of motor and phonic tics. ...

Controversy and confusion

There is some confusion in media portrayals of tics. For example, in comedies, a person with muscle tics may haplessly raise their hand at an obviously inappropriate time and suffer the consequences. This is very implausible: tics are semi-voluntary actions to alleviate the feeling of an unwanted, premonitory urge. One would not thrust his or her arm in the air as if he or she were possessed. Tourette syndrome (also Tourettes syndrome, Tourettes or TS) is an inherited neurological disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of motor and phonic tics. ... The word comedy has a classical meaning (comical theatre) and a popular one (the use of humor with an intent to provoke laughter in general). ... Demonic possession, in supernatural belief systems, is a form of spiritual possession whereby certain malevolent extra-dimensional entities, demons, gain control over a mortal persons body, which is then used for an evil or destructive purpose. ...

Tics must be distinguished from fasciculations. Small twitches of the upper or lower eyelid, for example, are not tics because they don't involve a whole muscle. They are twitches of a few muscle fibre bundles, which you can feel but barely see.^[14] It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Twitching. ...

See also

“Tourette” redirects here. ... Causes and origins of Tourette syndrome have not been fully elucidated. ... Tourette syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of multiple physical (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic. ... Tourette syndrome (also Tourettes syndrome, Tourettes or TS) is an inherited neurological disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of motor and phonic tics. ... Tourette syndrome (also Tourettes syndrome or TS) is an inherited neurological disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of motor and phonic tics. ... Coprolalia is involuntary swearing or the involuntary utterance of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks. ... Etymology: Greek copro feces and praxia (action). Copropraxia is involuntarily performing obscene or forbidden gestures. ... Echolalia is the repetition or echoing of verbal utterances made by another person. ... Etymology: Greek echo (repetition) and praxia (action). Echopraxia is the involuntary repetition or imitation of the observed movements of another. ... Palilalia is the repetition or echoing of ones own spoken words. ... Sensory phenomena are general feelings, urges or bodily sensations that precede or accompany repetitive behaviors[1] associated with Tourette syndrome and tic disorders. ... A tic is a repeated, impulsive action, almost reflexive in nature, which the actor feels powerless to control or avoid. ... Tourettism refers to tics associated with conditions other than Tourette syndrome. ... Categories: People stubs | French physicians | 1825 births | 1893 deaths | History of medicine ... Georges Gilles de la Tourette (1857-1904) was a French neurologist who first described the symptoms of Tourette syndrome. ... Jean Marc Gaspard Itard (April 24, 1774 – 1838) was a French physician born in Provence. ... Arthur K. Shapiro (1923-1995), was a psychiatrist and expert on Tourette syndrome. ... The Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA), based in Bayside, New York, United States, is a non-profit voluntary organization, founded in 1972 by a group of parents of children with Tourette syndrome. ... The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada (or TSFC) is a Canadian voluntary organization based in Toronto, Ontario. ... I Have Tourettes But Tourettes Doesnt Have Me is an Emmy Award-winning documentary film featuring children between the ages of six and thirteen with Tourette syndrome. ... Johns Not Mad was a QED documentary made by the BBC in 1989. ... The Tic Code is a 1999 drama film starring Christopher Marquette, Carol Kane and Polly Draper. ... Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (born Chris Wayne Jackson on March 9, 1969 in Gulfport, Mississippi) is an American former professional basketball player. ... Howard Ahmanson, Jr. ... Brad Cohen is a motivational speaker and an award-winning teacher and author. ... James Michael Eisenreich (born April 18, 1959 St. ... For other persons named Tim Howard, see Tim Howard (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Samuel Johnson, see Samuel Johnson (disambiguation). ... Andr Malraux, French author, adventurer and statesman Andr Malraux (November 3, 1901 - November 23, 1976) was a French author, adventurer and statesman. ... Tobias Picker (b. ... Michael Wolff is an American jazz pianist, composer and actor. ... Peter Alexander Bennett[1] (born March 22, 1982 in Camberwell, London to Mark Bennett and Anne Stephenson), better known as Pete, was the winner of Big Brother 7. ...

Notes

An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales is a 1995 book by neurologist Oliver Sacks consisting of seven medical case histories of individuals with neurological conditions such as autism and Tourette syndrome. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA), based in Bayside, New York, United States, is a non-profit voluntary organization, founded in 1972 by a group of parents of children with Tourette syndrome. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 156th day of the year (157th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

Look up tic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Black, Kevin J. Tourette Syndrome and Other Tic Disorders.
• Evidente, GH. "Is it a tic or Tourette's? Clues for differentiating simple from more complex tic disorders." PostGraduate Medicine Online. October 2000 108:5.
• Swerdlow, NR. Tourette Syndrome: Current Controversies and the Battlefield Landscape. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2005, 5:329-331. PMID 16131414
• Tourette Syndrome Association. What is Tourette syndrome? Accessed 24 May 2006.