Nervous ticks in children

[JBurke]

I have a 6 year old wonderful son who lately has had several ticks.
A couple months ago he started doing this odd thing with his mouth/jaw-opening his mouth really wide and then closing it. He would do this a couple times minute.
I asked him if something hurt and he said no, and when I asked to stop doing it he said he couldnt.
His kindergarten teacher pulled me aside and said she noticed him doing it in class and thought it was just a nervous tick that would go away.

He did stop it, but then about 3 weeks ago he had a cold and started sniffling. Well the cold went away, but the sniffling didnt. Then he was sniffling every 15 seconds or so. Now it progressed from sniffling to a snorting sound.
Once again his teacher said something. It was the last day of school and she thought maybe he was anxious about it. School has been over for a week, and he is still snorting.
The mouth thing wasnt so bad, but now that he is snorting/sniffling instead, other kids and my family are always asking what is wrong with him. I dont want him to be teased or labeled "weird"
When I ask him to stop, he says he cant. I try to ignore it, but after hearing it over and over again sometimes you just snap and I sternly tell him to stop. He maybe stops for a minute, but then it starts up again.
I am really worried about this. I am going to call his doctor and get him appointment. Just wondering if anyone else had gone through something similar?

Thanks for any help.

 

[mickeyboat]

http://www.mindpub.com/art417.htm

I thought this was a really good article.

Denae

 

[buzzboys]

My 4 year old ds has been doing similiar things the last few months. Now, he traces the letters showing on the tv in the air with his head. I am a mental health professional so of course I think the worst. When it is your own child it is hard to keep things in perspestive. I talked with a friend about it and took his advice and I am ignoring it now but will keep an eye out because we are thinking it could be OCD but don't want to over react if it is just a phase

 

[MareQ]

Wouldn't hurt to call the DR.

Just a question - I am sure you would have mentioned it but just in case- is he on any ADD/ADHD meds? Those can cause tics in children.

 

[Tinijocaro]

My oldest ds (11) has had several tics over the years, including the wide mouth one. In his case, even though the doctors say it isn't related, it's due to allergies. when he takes his allergy meds, or isn't in allergy season, the tics vanish. Not a coincidence in my book.

 

[nhrenee]

My ds (17) has always had some kind of nervous tic going on. He can make himself stop for a few minutes but generally not for long. He has done everything from chewing holes in the front of his shirts (first grade) to throat clearing to sniffing. Chances are your son really can't help it. With ds, it always got worse the more we mentioned it. The tics will come and go but have always been worse at the beginning and end of school.

I just told the teachers to ignore it. He told his friends he just had a nervous tick. If anyone in our families had a problem with it they never mentioned it to our face.

You're doing the right thing by going to your pediatrician. Ours was (is) GREAT! He never made ds feel like there was anything "wrong" with him. Our eventualy sent us to a pediatric neurologist to rule out any neurological problems. They're wasn't really anything. The tics are just his nervous systems' way of dealing with excess energy.

 

[JBurke]

Thanks for the advice and article.

In answer to MareQ's question, no he isnt on any ADD medication.

He has been a perfectly "normal" child up until this past year. No behavioral problems and he does fantastic at school.

I am going to try my best and ignore it until we can get into see the doctor.
It just breaks my heart to see him doing this.

Thanks again.

 

[buzzboys]

I know how difficult it is to ignore. Before the letter tracing thing he would count to 20 before closing the door. It was so heart breaking to watch especiall with him being 4 and it sometimes would take him a few times to get to 20 without mistakes. I was really glad when he stopped dping the counting thing. It has become easier to ignore although he doesn't do the head thing as frequently because he doesn't watch that much tv so in your circumstances I can understand how difficult it would be to ignore.

 

[anewvance]

My daughter has a tic too. Her's started with a little clearing throat cough that she would do often. The doctor diagnosed it as a tic and said that it could go away and have no other problems or it could stick around or it could go away and something else show up. About 4 months after it started, it stopped but now she has an eye blink tic. Nothing you can really do about it.

 

[HeatherPage]

I would try to ignore it, if he could stop, he would have by now, pointing it out to him will just make him more self-conscious thereby increasing his anxiety (possibly) which in turn probably causes the tic to begin with. My son who is 5 is on ADHD medication and has developed this "habit" that had me more worried than anything. I noticed he would stop every now and then and kind of take deep concentrated breaths through is mouth (like he was having trouble catching his breath) this concerned me because of some of the side effects I'd heard about regarding some adhd meds. I would ask him if he was having trouble breathing or did his chest hurt and he would tell me no he was fine. I finally figured out he only did it when I think he felt "under the microscope" as in if we were questioning him about something or he was trying to explain something clearly to us and taking his time (at no time did he ever show this habit after running, swimming or exerting himself) so I finally figured it was just something he developed and will hopefull go away soon.

 

[Jerseylicious]

Janice -

I know EXACTLY what you're going through. Please read this thread that I started, I think back in 2005:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=875819

There you'll find some info about my situation.

Please, whatever you do, (and I *know* it's hard), is please try NOT to get frustrated with his tics. This will for sure make them worse and make him VERY self-conscious about it, which will definitely only aggravate the situation. My DD8 has had this disorder since she was 2. It comes & goes in severity and in what kind of tic she's doing. The only vocal tic she's had is a cough, although that is arguable because it was allergy season, and her and I have BAD allergies and personally I think it was post nasal drip, as that also happens to me that time of year. But as far as head/body movement, she has done SO many different things. She STILL does! It's a completely unpredictable disorder, which is a very frustrating part of the whole ordeal. Will it get better? Will it get worse? Who knows. That's what stinks.

As far as the appearance of your son to others, and not wanting him labeled as 'weird' or 'different', a big part of that depends on you. My DD's tics are mildly noticable, not major. But when she does them, I am matter-of-fact with people and simply say "Oh, it's just a tic disorder, and she feels like she has to do it, but she's fine!" If you are ok and nonchalant about it, others will be too. If you make it an 'embarrasing' problem, others will treat it that way as well. Be as normal as you can about it. The good thing about your DS developing it in kindergarten is that the kid's (IF they notice it at all) will be used to him doing that from an early age, and it won't be a big deal. If they ask him what he's doing, also tell him to be open & frank about it. "I have a tic, and my muscles make me do it." Boom. Done. Kids don't ask any more questions after that.

It's VERY hard to see your child have any type of disorder. It's been 6 years I've been dealing with this, and even something as simple as a tic upsets me because I mean really, who wants to see their child have ANYTHING? But keep in mind it could be MUCH much worse. It's hard to remember but keeping things in perspective really helps.

Hang in there & keep us up to date!!!

 

[JBurke]

Thank you Jerseylicious for your wonderful response.
I will check out your thread.

I will try and adopt your attitude when it comes to how to respond to people/kids noticing his tics.

 

[Jerseylicious]

Thank you Jerseylicious for your wonderful response.
I will check out your thread.

I will try and adopt your attitude when it comes to how to respond to people/kids noticing his tics.

You're welcome. I completely understand how you feel. But again, the more 'normal' you make it, the more 'normal' everyone else will make it!

 

[Minnie824]

Defintely try to ignore it. I had tics as I was growing up (still do at times now, but I'm very aware of them, and do my best to stop at this point). It is not something he can stop. My mom used to sortof copy me, I think to make me aware, or to figure out what I was trying to do, and it make me more anxious and much worse. I had the throat clearing, sniffing, arm tics, etc. It could get better then worse, then better, or just go away. I would definitely just try not to draw attention to it. Good luck. Its tough, because I know from personally going thru it, and I try to watch my daughter and it worries me to see if she starts doing thing, since I don't know if she has the same issues, or just normal at that age repeating things, etc.

 

[Tikicampers]

I think it's good that you are going to see the doctor. There are some disorders that show up in the form of tics, but it could also just be the age. I teach Kinder. and I have had lots of kids that had tics, or just weird little habits. Most were just being kids, but a few did have bigger issues.

BTW- As a young child if I bumped into or touched something without meaning to, I had to do it again. I have no idea why, I couldn't help myself. I also wanted everything in even numbers. If I had five lifesavers I would get uncomfortable. If I had six, I had to eat them in twos. I have outgrown both behaviors, although in times of stress I occasionally notice them coming back. I am a fully functional adult with a husband and two beautiful kids.
So the bottom line is, see the doctor, but try not to worry too much. Although in my experience as a Mom, you're going to worry no matter what everyone tells you.

 

[Tigger Woods]

I have a 6 year old wonderful son who lately has had several ticks.
A couple months ago he started doing this odd thing with his mouth/jaw-opening his mouth really wide and then closing it. He would do this a couple times minute.
I asked him if something hurt and he said no, and when I asked to stop doing it he said he couldnt.
His kindergarten teacher pulled me aside and said she noticed him doing it in class and thought it was just a nervous tick that would go away.

He did stop it, but then about 3 weeks ago he had a cold and started sniffling. Well the cold went away, but the sniffling didnt. Then he was sniffling every 15 seconds or so. Now it progressed from sniffling to a snorting sound.
Once again his teacher said something. It was the last day of school and she thought maybe he was anxious about it. School has been over for a week, and he is still snorting.
The mouth thing wasnt so bad, but now that he is snorting/sniffling instead, other kids and my family are always asking what is wrong with him. I dont want him to be teased or labeled "weird"
When I ask him to stop, he says he cant. I try to ignore it, but after hearing it over and over again sometimes you just snap and I sternly tell him to stop. He maybe stops for a minute, but then it starts up again.
I am really worried about this. I am going to call his doctor and get him appointment. Just wondering if anyone else had gone through something similar?

Thanks for any help.

I can tell you about my son, and maybe it can help you. When he was about 6 years old, he began to have slight tics. Blinking and slight head movements. Like most people, I thought it was just a nervous habit or caused by excess energy, and didn't think much about it. As the days went on, the tics increased in intensity and frequency. Sometimes he would move his mouth back and forth. Then the constant throat clearing began. One night, while playing in a school basketball game, he began rocking his from head side to side, not unlike something you would see in a mild Parkinson's patient. My wife and I knew something was wrong, and took him to the emergency room after the game. They performed several tests, and physically, there was nothing wrong, and diagnosed it as a tic disorder. They suggested we take him to a neurologist who they recommended, and it was the best thing we could have ever done. The neurologist determined my son has OCD, which is frequently genetic. He needs to count certain things, likes to repeat certain things, things need to be a certain way, there are any number of individual symptoms caused by OCD. My wife is the same way. Thus, the genetic connection! In it not uncommon for kids with OCD to develop tic disorders. The neurologist prescribed daily medication (low dosage - .25 mil.) and the results were immediate. Although he still has very slight occasional tics (He's been on the medication for two years) they are not really noticeable to those around him, and this year he was the leading scorer on his basketball team (He scored 15 points in one game .. an 8 year old!) and he gets nearly straight A's in school and is extremely popular. There are all sorts of childhood tics, including transient tics which don't last more than a year before going away for good. If tics last more than a year, they are in a different category, and may require medication. If your child exhibits symptoms of OCD (there are many good websites with info available) in conjunction with motor and vocal tics, I recommend you visit a neurologist. Our pediatrician was unaware of my son's condition at the time, because he didn't display any symptoms during his annual visit. By the way, symptoms of OCD w/ tic disorders may decrease dramatically or completely disappear when a child reaches the age of puberty or early adulthood. One thing for sure, if your child has tics, the worst thing to do is draw attention to them in a negative way. They truly can't help it, and it can be devastating to their self esteem.

 

[Keli]

My youngest brother had both the tics you mentioned (and only those two). And he did them in the same order also.
Unfortunately he did not lose the sniffing tic. He still does it but I'm so used to it that I don't notice it much anymore.

 

[JBurke]

Tigger Woods-thank you for the great response.
If my doctor cannot find anything physically wrong with him, then I will definately push to have a neurologist consult.

As for OCD, when my son was around 2 he was always lining things up. Especially his toy cars, he could spend an hour just putting them all in a line.
I was worried at first because I heard that was a sign of autism.
He didnt do anythign other than that, the doctor didnt seem to be worried, and he progressed as normal from that age on.
Maybe that could be a sign on OCD?

 

[Tikicampers]

As for OCD, when my son was around 2 he was always lining things up. Especially his toy cars, he could spend an hour just putting them all in a line.
I was worried at first because I heard that was a sign of autism.
He didnt do anythign other than that, the doctor didnt seem to be worried, and he progressed as normal from that age on.
Maybe that could be a sign on OCD?

I would think it could be a symptom of OCD, but I know several toddlers who love to line things up. DS lines pillows up down the hallway. Both he and my 3 year old cousin line up their toy cars. And I used to babysit a little girl who would line up the halves of plastic Easter Eggs.

 

[Tigger Woods]

I think all kids like to line things up. I know I did. Once you've visited the doctor you'll have a better idea of what's going on. For your own peace of mind, I would do it sooner rather than later.