Tic Disorders can range from simple movements such as blinking, head nodding, and shoulder shrugging to complex tics where many involuntary movements occur simultaneously.
What Are the Causes of Tic Disorders?
- Genetic and social factors
- Stress, anxiety
- Over-controlling, oppressive attitude
- Lack of attention and affection
- Constant behavioral criticism towards the child
- Expecting things above the child's individual performance
- Comparing him with his friends and sibling
- Domestic issues and problems
- An anxiety-inducing, insecure environment
- Sibling rivalry
- The child's family constantly drawing attention to his tics
How Should Families Behave in Tic Disorders?
Constant warnings from families to children with tic disorders do not eliminate the tic disorder and make the problem more complex. Children can stop their tics for a short time, they can suppress them. For example, sometimes they may never do them at school or they may say "I don't have to do this if I want to." These statements can mislead families. This situation can cause a perception among families such as "If the child wants to, he won't do his tic, he is doing it on purpose."
However, tics can be suppressed in the short term, but they cannot be suppressed in the long term; it is necessary to get professional support.
It is very important to perform a detailed evaluation of the child, to investigate the causes underlying the tics, and to determine whether there is any other condition accompanying the tic disorder.
What Are the Conditions Accompanying Tic Disorders?
- Learning Disability
- Obsessive-Compulsive
- Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity
How Should It Be Treated?
Tic disorder in children is a treatable condition. If the child exhibits tics in certain situations, the underlying causes and reasons for this need to be investigated. As a result of the tension that arises when the family constantly tries to intervene in these tics occurring in the child, the tics in the child increase. This situation makes treatment more difficult. In order to eliminate tic disorders in children, the family's support in this matter is of great importance. The family should shape their approach to his child according to the doctor's advice and approach the child accordingly. The punishment method is not an appropriate method to use in these situations; this situation does more harm than good to the child. It is important that intra-family communication and relationships are good, that there is no argumentative environment, and that attention and affection towards the child are increased. Tic disorders must be resolved with the cooperation of the family, teacher, and treatment team.
