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

Sometimes, when a person is stressed or anxious, their body responds with something called a “tic.” To the outside observer, this may appear as a jolting or jerking bodily motion without an apparent cause. Tics can also take the form of an audible vocalization or making a sound.  Tics are an involuntary reaction to stress or anxiety and can be a sign that someone may need support.   

What are tics?

Our minds and bodies react in many different ways when faced with stress. And tics are just one example of how our mental health can impact our physical well-being.  Unlike the occasional toe tapping or other unconscious movements you might experience sometimes, tics are involuntary, repetitive movements or sounds that can be caused by certain health concerns. So it’s always best to seek an evaluation from a medical or mental health professional if you experience them frequently.  Tics, no matter their form, are not intentional. People who experience tics often feel shame and embarrassment about them, even when they’re barely detectable to others. So if you see someone exhibiting a tic, have compassion and remember that tics are a relatively common experience, especially for young people. 

Can anxiety cause tics?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the most common anxiety disorder, is known to cause muscle tension and twitching. However, anxiety disorders are not known to cause tics. Rather, physical responses to anxiety, such as sudden movements or unexpected behaviors, are commonly rooted in the body’s need to regulate. Some people refer to these as “anxiety tics” but what they really are is the body and brain’s attempt to self-soothe. When we feel anxious our brains try to protect us. Sometimes that protection can come out in the form of what looks like a “tic.”  While we don’t know all of the underlying causes of tics, research shows that tics can arise due to certain environmental factors. For example, experiencing heightened tension and stress may make it more likely that you’ll experience them. Some tic disorders also have a heritable component, meaning that having a close relative (like a sibling or parent) might mean you are more likely to develop them.

Recognizing tics

In order to recognize tics, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some of the most common types, including the following.

Motor tics

• Quickly blinking 
• Repeatedly sticking out the tongue
• Jerking or twitching the head or neck
• Repeatedly shrugging your shoulders
• Squatting and hopping movements

Vocal tics

• Repeatedly clearing your throat
• Hissing
• Barking
• Snorting
• Sniffing or snorting
• Throat clearing

As with other physical manifestations of stress, tics can vary in severity. And sometimes, more severe motor or vocal tics can indicate the presence of a mental health concern such as Tourette’s syndrome or other health conditions. In these cases, the tics are severe enough to negatively impact a person’s functioning and daily life. Some examples of complex or more severe motor and vocal tics include:

• Facial grimaces
• Inappropriate gestures
• Touching people or objects
• Lip biting
• Head banging
• Repeating oneself
• Repeating others’ words
• Using obscenities

Living with tics can take an emotional toll, especially for young people who may not understand why they’re experiencing them. That’s why it’s important to increase awareness of why tics occur and to help others understand that tics are involuntary and very different from regular habits. 

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 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 this week.  Find a therapist with Rula