Beyond nervous habits: Why tics happen and how to find support

Sometimes, when a person is stressed or anxious, their body reacts by making a sudden movement or sound called a “tic.” This might look like a twitch or a quick jerk. It can also be a sound like a grunt or clearing your throat.

These tics aren’t done on purpose. They’re the body’s way of responding to stress and can happen without the person meaning to. Anxiety can sometimes cause these tics to show up for a short time — especially when someone is feeling overwhelmed.

If the tics happen often and are negatively impacting your life, talking to a doctor or therapist can help. They can help identify the underlying cause and suggest ways to reduce stress and feel better.

Can anxiety cause tics?

Anxiety doesn’t directly cause tics in the way that a tic disorder does, but it can lead to movements or sounds that look like tics. When someone feels anxious or stressed, their body may react in sudden ways — like twitching, blinking, or making noises — as a way to cope. Some people call these “anxiety tics,” but they’re usually the body’s way of trying to calm down.

Tics can also happen more often when someone is under a lot of stress, even if they already have a tic disorder. And for some people, tics run in families, which means they might be more likely to have them.

If you or someone you know is experiencing tics or movements that won’t go away, it’s a good idea to seek professional support. A doctor or therapist can help figure out what’s causing the tics and how to manage them.

Recognizing anxiety-related tics

Anxiety can cause both motor (movement-based) and vocal (sound-based) tics. These tics are involuntary — meaning the person isn’t choosing to do them — and they often appear when someone is feeling very stressed or overwhelmed. While they may look unusual to others, these tics are often the brain and body’s way of trying to cope with anxiety.

Here are some common examples of motor tics that can show up during times of stress:

• Quickly blinking

• Sticking out the tongue

• Jerking or twitching the head or neck

• Repeatedly shrugging your shoulders

• Squatting and hopping movements

Vocal tics can include:

• Clearing the throat often

• Sniffing or snorting

• Making short sounds like barking or hissing

In most cases, anxiety-related tics are temporary and go away when the stress level drops. But sometimes, more frequent or intense tics may signal something more complex, like Tourette syndrome or another neurological condition. These types of tics may include:

• Facial grimacing

• Repeating words or phrases

• Inappropriate gestures

• Hitting or head banging

• Using offensive language

Tics — whether caused by anxiety or another condition — can be distressing and misunderstood. That’s why it’s important to recognize that tics aren’t done on purpose and may be a sign that someone needs extra support or care.

How tics impact mental health

While anyone can experience a tic during periods of heightened stress, they can also be present alongside other mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Left untreated, any of these conditions can negatively impact your quality of life, and tic disorders like Tourette’s have been shown to cause lower self-esteem in children.

Fortunately, with the right support, you can learn to manage whatever medical condition or environmental factors might be causing your tics. In the case of tic disorders, this will likely involve learning stress management techniques and sometimes medication to address co-occurring conditions.

Five strategies for coping with tics

If you’re living with anxiety-related tics, the following coping strategies can help you manage stress and improve your symptoms:

1. Pay attention to when your tics occur. By learning to identify your triggers, you can feel more prepared to manage tics when they are likely to arise.

2. Experiment with different ways of responding to tics. For example, if your tic involves tapping your feet on the ground, see if you can stretch your legs instead until the urge passes.

3. When you feel stressed or anxious, try some breathing exercises or relaxation techniques. For example, take a slow inhale, pause, and then slowly exhale. Repeat this exercise until your mind and body feel calmer.

4. If your tics are negatively impacting your mental health and quality of life, talk to a professional. A therapist can provide a variety of therapeutic techniques to help you reduce your tics.

5. In some cases, depending on the underlying cause of your tics, your medical or mental health provider may recommend medication to help manage your tics. The most common group of medications used to treat tics are known as neuroleptics. They work by altering part of your brain that helps control body movements.

Find support for tics with Rula

When it comes to getting help for tics, one of the first and most important steps is receiving a professional evaluation.

At Rula, we work with thousands of licensed mental healthcare providers, many of whom specialize in stress management and other supports known to help people manage tics. And with our streamlined therapist-matching platform, you can find one that takes your insurance in just a few seconds. Get the process started today and see a therapist as soon as tomorrow.