What This Can Look Like
Tics can range from simple motor tics (eye blinking, shoulder shrugging) to complex movements, and from simple vocal tics (throat clearing) to more complex vocalizations. Tics often begin in childhood and can impact social and academic functioning.
How the Cycle Maintains Itself
Stress, anxiety, fatigue, and increased attention to tics can all contribute to greater tic frequency or intensity. When children become highly focused on their tics or worry about others noticing them, this can increase tension and make tics more likely to occur.
Many children also experience embarrassment, shame, or fear of negative reactions, which can lead to avoidance of social situations or activities. Over time, this added stress can further reinforce the cycle and make tics feel harder to manage.
How Behavioral Treatment Helps
Treatment often includes:
- Psychoeducation and skill-building
- Habit reversal training (HRT)
- Other evidence-based behavioral tools tailored to the individual
Treatment at KY Cards:
What to Expect
Care is structured and time-limited, with clear goals and practical strategies for managing tics and reducing functional impairment.