Tics

[Scared1234]

Hi! I am writing about my 9 year old child. I am concerned he may have Tourette’s Syndrome and it scares me. He started with a vocal tic a few weeks ago when he thought he couldn’t breathe. Then it turned into a head nod. The head nod has started to go away and now he’s moving his fingers all around, super fast. He is also making more noises (kissy sound), etc. He will say he has a “habit” and he can’t stop. It definitely sounds like Tourette’s. I struggle with anxiety and he expressed being worried about something that happened a few weeks ago. Last night, he brought it up again and said he was still thinking about it. Could this be anxiety related? Has this ever happened to anyone else? With this amount of tics? I have tried getting him into therapy but everyone is booked up for months!

 

[MATD]

A therapist can not diagnose your child. Only a psychiatrist/psychologist can. That being said, a therapist needs to know what they are dealing with. It’s the same as a physical therapist, they need to know what is going on with the patient before they work with them, to plan an effective strategy to help the patient. Also understand that children learn and pick up on examples of their parents behavior. If you have anxiety, it’s entirely possible your child will develop it from watching your example. Their manifestations may not be like yours but be entirely different. I’ve said all this in the spirit of trying to give you some things to think about in regard to your situation with your son. It is not meant to be harsh or mean, just informative. Once the anxiety gains a foothold, it can be difficult to get it back under control. The more we are educated about anxiety, the better we can effectively deal with it. Food for thought.

 

[Nutmeg]

I get tics when my anxiety is really bad, sometimes I don't realise I have a new one until my partner points it out! Then when I realise it, it's something I just feel I 'need to do', but is not involuntary. Once I realise I'm doing it, I can stop doing it. With tourettes my understanding is it's usally beyond the persons control... but I could be wrong

 

[Helplol]

Hi! Nine years old is around the time I developed tics just like that. You go through phases of different tics. Tics can happen for a number of reasons Anxiety, stress, excitement and even happiness. I think it's really special he's able to communicate with you that he's thinking about it. I wish I was able to do that with my parents when it started with me. I would just try to be as supportive as you can. The worst thing about having Tourette's is people pointing it out or making you feel weird for having tics. My parents used to make fun of me and it was very hard on me from as young as 7 years old. Typically anyone with tourettes has anxiety, ocd or ADHD. I would see a doctor and just be super supportive in letting him know there's nothing wrong with him. If he is worried about something talk about it with him! I would get him a therapist to have the space to talk to someone else about it as well. It's not a bad thing. It will help him learn to cope with stress and worry better as he grows up. I hope this helps! <3