#TEEN ANNOYING SOUNDS SERIES#

In children and teens, tics are often triggered by two different types of situations. As well as while playing xbox, it also happened when he was watching youtube, when he was stressed about a test at school and when he was frustrated or when he was really excited about something. Tyler and his Mum talked to me about when his tic happened most commonly. However the truth is that tics and compulsions are sometimes related, and some people believe them just to be the same spectrum of behaviours. In addition compulsions are usually done more deliberately and consciously – usually in the context of a child or teen trying to get rid of a certain thought or image (ie their obsessions). A rule of thumb is that compulsions tend to be more complex behaviours – eg lining things up, checking locks, tapping several times in certain places. If you’ve worked with children /teens with anxiety you’ll have come across many with compulsions – and might wonder what the difference is between tics and compulsions.

#TEEN ANNOYING SOUNDS SERIES#

Saying words or phrases out of context (in a sudden, recurrent way)ĭoing a series of coughs or grunts in a certain pattern Some examples of complex vocal tics in children and teens are: Moving an object (eg string/paper) around in a certain way Some examples of complex movement tics in children and teens are: Sniffing/Coughing/Clearing the throat (in the absence of a cold) Some examples of simple vocal tics in children and teens are: Some examples of simple movement tics in children and teens are: Tics are defined in the DSMV as a “sudden, rapid, recurrent, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalization.” Tics can be simple – involving just one movement/noise – or complex – which are movements or vocalisations which involve a range of actions/noises. Tyler felt embarrassed about it, and his Mum felt worried for him – their GP had recommended they come and see us.Īs you probably know, Tyler’s “twitch” is usually called a “tic”. Now it would happen for hours at a time while playing his game, and also at times of stress at school.

This had been increasingly happening to Tyler for several months. Basically Tyler’s “twitch” consisted of him tightening up one half of his face in a tight wink while swallowing hard at the same time. To show me what they were talking about, they bought along an iphone video of Tyler playing his xbox while this twitch was happening. 12 year old Tyler* and his mum came to visit us concerned about something they called his “twitch”.

Teen annoying sounds