Alternative Names
Chronic vocal tic disorder; Tic – chronic motor tic disorder
Definition of Chronic motor tic disorder
Chronic motor tic disorder involves quick, uncontrollable movements or vocal outbursts (but not both).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
About 1 to 2% of the population has chronic motor tic disorder. The condition is more common than . However, it is not as common as .
Signs and tests
The doctor can usually diagnose a during a physical examination. Tests are generally not needed.
Treatment
Treatment depends on how bad the tics are and how the condition affects you. Medicines and psychotherapy are used only when the tics have a major impact on daily activities, such as school and job performance.
Expectations (prognosis)
Children who develop this disorder between ages 6 and 8 usually do very well. Symptoms may last 4 to 6 years, and then stop without treatment in early adolescence.
Review
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 3/21/2010
