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Transient tic disorder

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

Transient tic disorder is a temporary condition that causes single or multiple motor tics, which are brief, repetitive, difficult-to-control movements or noises (vocalizations).

The tics often resemble nervous behavior.

Alternative Names:

Tic - transient tic disorder

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Transient (short-lived, temporary) tic disorder is common in children: Up to 24% of all school-age children have had tics.

The cause of transient tic disorder can be physical or psychological. It may be a mild variant of Tourette's syndrome . The child may have facial tics or tics involving movement of the arms, legs, or other areas. Tics appear to get worse with emotional stress and do not occur during sleep.

• Review Date: 4/28/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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