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Symptoms of Tics

Tics do not occur during sleep or when the child is deeply absorbed. They are worse during stress and when the child is aware of being observed.

In a small proportion of cases, tics persist into adult life. Most are minor, but some become so severe and widespread as to call for medical assistance. Such major tics occasionally affect the diaphragm, causing a grunting sound.

A tic commonly affecting adults is a spasmodic closure of one or both eyes, known as blepharospasm. Neurotic blepharospasm can be very disabling, the affected person sometimes being unable to open the eyes at all, even in very dim conditions.

Any attention given to the phenomenon makes it worse. Blepharospasm is often associated with other tics such as hitching up a shoulder, jerking up the chin, or turning or tilting the head to one side.

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