Tics are movements that occur as a result of the contraction of the striated muscles at certain intervals outside the person’s will. Usually tics are seen in the facial and neck muscles. It is seen with behaviors such as blinking, continuous shaking of the feet, moving the head or neck, pulling the edges of the lips, sniffing, and cleaning the throat. Tics can change location and shape, and after a while they settle in a certain muscle. Tics are more common in boys. It usually occurs after the age of 6. It is most common between the ages of 8-12. Although simple tics such as blinking occur in preschool period, they disappear before entering adolescence. There are also tics that continue into adulthood.
The most basic factor in the formation of tics is mental problems. Tics are generally thought to emerge as a reflection of internal tension or conflicts. The body tries to get rid of these tensions thanks to tics. It increases as you try to prevent the tics. Especially as sadness, emotionality and fatigue increase, tics also increase.
The main causes of tics are mental problems such as fear, anxiety and tension that the child begins to experience at an early age. Growing up in a fighting, insecure, anxious environment or emotions such as anger, excitement, pain, enthusiasm, and fatigue can cause tics in children.
An example of tics caused by mental problems: A 9-year-old girl told the psychologist that she lived in a family environment as follows: My sıbling always annoys and hits me. On the other hand, my father blames me. My dad is coming home late. I’m afraid my father won’t come. My mom and dad often fight. “
Situations such as fear and anxiety experienced by the child in the family environment caused her to emerge mouth and nasal tic.
In another example, a 6-year-old child who started early school had eye and neck tics. Taking his 10-year-old brother as an example, the boy wanted to play with his brother and friends, although he was taken into the group, he could not adapt. Internal injury at home and at school led to eye and neck tics.
Tics can also occur as an expression of an incomplete and unsatisfied behavior. For example, when the child cannot express internal behaviors such as hitting, breaking, and aggression, these behaviors can occur with involuntary hand and arm movements.
Another reason for tics is that involuntary repetitive movements become a habit over time and then repeat automatically. For example, the blinking movement may occur initially with a tiredness or eye discomfort, then become automated and tick. The neck shrug can turn into a habit while it is a movement that begins to relieve the discomfort of a hard collar shirt. Shrug and eyebrow lifting movements are also used as a sign of rejection at the beginning, and can turn into tics habitually.
Another reason why tics occur is imitation. While the child imitates the people around him, his parents, friends, teachers, he can also take their faulty actions. These movements can turn into tics over time.
Tics can also occur as a result of prolonged physical irritation in the area of contraction or in the organs. The most common of these are runny nose, visual disturbances and neck pain.
Tics can also develop due to organic disorders. For example, a child who is constantly blinking may have vision problems.
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