Nervous tics?

[itakenaps]

Ever since I was a little kid I have always made unusual unconscious movements. I never noticed it until the kids at school started making fun of me for it; and it never bothered me until coworkers would ask me why I am making strange faces. They do not stay the same. Sometimes it is as simple as scrunching my nose, raising my eyebrows or pursing my lips. Ive had others that are more noticeable where I would tense my neck muscles and sort of make a grimace at the same time, or were I would move my jaw up and down till it was sore. I went through a horrible skin picking phase for awhile, thankfully that was not very long. I don’t think I have Turrets, I call them nervous tics because I do not know how else to describe them. They are constant, I have never been without them for as long as I can remember. Most of the time I don’t even realize I am making the movements until someone says something. They happen when I am completely relaxed too, watching tv or reading a book. I can’t feel them about to happen, but I do get an uncomfortable feeling if I try to not do them. I have been taking medication for anxiety and depression for a little over a year now. I can’t say there has been any change with the tics, which is frustrating. Does anyone else experience this type of thing? Any ideas on what causes it? If they were just from anxiety wouldn’t they be going away?

[Mumma_h]

Hi there, I know a little bit about this. You may not want to hear this and hope with all my heart thus dosnt frighten you . It does sound like you have Tourette's syndrome, and I tell you it is NOTHING to be scared of. Tourette's comes in many different forms from mild to severe. My husband has always had it, he would blink and/or sniff uncontrollably and pull faces sometimes , especially in a situation that made him nervous. He was never diagnosed because everyone just thought it was one of those quirks we all have and it didn't pose a big problem to him. We have 4 children and when one of our sons started ,at age 10,to have 'face grimaces' and vocal tics, I thought nothing of it until it got worse and worse . It never even occurred to us that my husband had tourettes and now my son. Tourette's is hereditary and more men have it than women.But as our sons tics worsened there was no more denying it . I didn't want him to have that label because it terrified me , I only knew what I saw in the movies. And I wanted it to go away. Tourette's is just a name for the tics, that's all. Anyway my son is now 20 and his tics are nearly non existent,but if he gets annoyed or stressed he will tic. Everyone's Tourette's is different, and it is definitely possible for them to come and go. I suggest talking to your doctor about it; don't be scared. I believe my sons Tourette's has his brain wired different to most people because he is impulsive and always in trouble, someone's always mad at him for something, do the tics weren't his biggest problem in the end . I live in Australia and the help for his condition is almost non existent, i have fought all his life for him but unfortunately havnt found the help ,however with my unconditional support his is doing ok. So for us its the uncontrollable silly impulses he has , which he thinks is funny but usually isn't, I see his beautiful heart and see the attention he craves , so I adore him It's just the way he's wired and at 20 I'm still working on it. Tourette's comes in many many different forms. Don't be afraid, be yourself!!! Unless it's really bothering you , or you have muscle pain then you just be yourself, you'll be surprised how many people just see you ,not your tics. Absolutely nothing to ever be ashamed of . P.s it's a nervous system disorder not a mental disorder as most would presume. Much love and understanding to you , and hope you love yourself just the way you are . My sons tics are kind of cute sometimes, kids have taken an interest him and hasn't affected his popularity lol, especially with the girls ha ha. ❤️

[itakenaps in reply to Mumma_h]

Thank you so much for replying to me Mumma_h! Ive been living with them for most of my life. As a kid I hated them cause kids would make fun of me about it. Eventually I learned to accept them and learned to love them as part of me. But when I started on medication for my anxiety I guess I thought I would be cured of the tics. I got my hopes up and when it didn’t happen it made me feel really low. I accepted them before so I know I can do it again. I think it has just always been frustrating not knowing exactly what they are. So lately I’ve become sort of fixated on figuring it out. I will definitely talk to my doctor about it. From my research I did have an inkling that it might be TS, but I was never sure, because my tics don’t seem as bad. I had no idea that it was a nervous system disorder! I will definitely look into that as well. Thank you so very much.

[Mumma_h in reply to itakenaps]

You're so welcome!! May I ask how old you are ? Because they can be grown out out of . Everyone is different and they often come and go through out life , called waxing and waning. My son could have tics in his fade arms legs , vocal for months then not have any for a while and now virtually none.

[itakenaps in reply to Mumma_h]

I just turned 25

[Mumma_h in reply to itakenaps]

Take heart , very good chance they'll die down. There's no Magic pill for the tics but as you would probably know yourself they are worse when anxious. So treating anxiety could help . Feel free to msg me , I don't know everything about it but I do know more than anyone what it's like to live with . Have really hit brick walls from professionals when trying to get help for my son here in Melbourne,So I've helped him all myself. I truly believe, as the doctors do in America, that it has affected the way he acts , but it doesn't affect everyone this way.

[itakenaps in reply to Mumma_h]

Okay. Thank you 🙏

[itakenaps in reply to Mumma_h]

I can’t say that I have ever been without them. They just change every so often. Some are worse than others. Right now I think I have maybe 3

[Mumma_h in reply to itakenaps]

My sons tics have often changed . I noticed when he was doing something he loved , like playing his drums,and was into it he didn't tic; some people don't have tics when they sing . This was a godsend when he was young and as he was always getting in trouble for behaviour it was the one thing he loved and was proud of and progressed very well in it.