- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
A to Z: Tic Disorder
Tic disorders are conditions that cause people to make sudden, repetitive movements or sounds (tics), seemingly without being aware of it.
More to Know
Tics are repetitive movements (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics) that people can't stop themselves from doing. Most tics are brief and go away on their own. Someone who has a tic or tics that go on for at least 4 weeks is said to have a tic disorder.
There are several types of tic disorders:
- Transient tic disorders involve motor or vocal tics that last for more than 4 weeks but less than a year.
- Chronic tic disorders involve either motor tics or vocal tics (but not both) that last for more than a year.
- Tourette syndrome, the most severe kind of tic disorder, involves both motor and vocal tics that go on for at least a year.
Tic disorders usually first appear during childhood, and they can be associated with other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Tics can become more severe when someone is under stress or fatigued, but they tend to get milder or go away entirely as kids get older.
Tic disorders generally don't require any treatment, but doctors may recommend medications to control symptoms if the disorder starts to interfere with someone's schoolwork or daily life.
Keep in Mind
Tic disorders are usually harmless and don't cause any complications beyond the tics themselves. They also typically start to improve after about age 11. Some studies indicate that most people with tic disorders are free of tics or considerably improved by the time they reach adulthood.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.