Contents
What should I do if my child is constantly coughing, blinking, or grimacing? A nervous tic cannot be controlled, but fortunately, in most cases, it goes away with time. The main thing is not to suppress it and not make the child feel guilty for these involuntary movements.
Most often, tick occurs in children aged 6-14 years. It affects 10-15% of children, and boys more often than girls. Some children have several tics at once. “The reason is the disruption of connections between different areas of the brain, which as a result affects the coordination of the desired movement (action) and the result.”, says Helge Topka, Chief Physician of the Clinic for Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology at the Munich Hospital. Scientists suggest that parts of the brain are formed at different rates, which causes disruption of connections.
Read more:
- Francoise Dolto: “A child is not at all what adults think of him”
“In this case, there are actions and movements that are actually only a minor hindrance to the life of the child,” explains the neurologist. “When the peripheral nervous system is fully formed, the tic will most likely disappear.”
Manifestations of a tic can be sounds, words, coughing, twitching of the hands or body, blinking. A nervous tic is preceded by a premonition, similar to the one we experience before sneezing: only after that the child can relax. Stressful situations often reinforce unwanted actions. If you try to suppress a nervous tic, it will only get worse as a result. That is why in no case should you recommend a child to restrain himself. On the contrary, you need to create a calm, accepting atmosphere around him. “Some children feel insecure because of the reaction of others to their peculiarity,” says Helge Topka. It is also important to explain to the child that a tick is not a mental illness.
One long-term form of tics that often occurs in children is the so-called Tourette’s syndrome, which combines motor and vocal tics. Although Tourette syndrome is known mainly for the fact that a person constantly repeats obscene words, in fact, this happens only in 30-50% of cases. Tourette’s tic develops within a year, and its symptoms increase during puberty. However, in 50% of cases recovery is also possible.
Read more:
- Julia Gippenreiter: “Learning to communicate is a natural process”
Tics that last more than 12 months are considered chronic. In order for the doctor’s help to be effective, it is important that the attack occurs at the reception. And since the symptoms are typical, the time can be easily calculated. Treatment depends on the type of tic and how much discomfort it causes to the child. Usually he, together with his parents, visits a child psychologist or a clinic if medication is required. However, all treatments address the symptoms, not the cause. Often, tics are associated with other psychological problems, such as attention deficit disorder, depression, or fears.
Still, the most important thing is to be in an open relationship with the child, since the problem is usually not the tic itself, but the situation in which the children find themselves. If the response to their unusual behavior is calm and accepting, they will be able to lead a normal life. “Don’t leave your child alone with a problem,” recommends Helge Topka. “Listen to him and don’t make him feel guilty.”
See more at Spiegel editions.