Symptoms & Signs
- Excessive blinking
- Grimaces of the face
- Quick movements of the arms, legs, or other areas
- Sounds (grunts, throat clearing, contractions of the abdomen or diaphragm)
People can hold off these symptoms for a short period of time, but they feel a sense of relief when they carry out these movements.
Tics may continue during all stages of sleep. They may get worse with:
- Excitement
- Fatigue
- Heat
- Stress
Diagnosis & Tests
The doctor can usually diagnose a tic during a physical examination. Tests are generally not needed.
To be diagnosed with the disorder:
- You must have had the tics nearly every day for more than a year
- You have not had a tic-free period longer than 3 months
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Chronic motor tic disorder : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Chronic motor tic disorder : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Chronic motor tic disorder : Treatment
Review Date : 2/13/2008
Reviewed By : Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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