Children behaving strangely need to be on the alert for Tourette’s Syndrome

  Tic disorder is a childhood psychological disorder characterized by multiple involuntary tics, language or behavior disorders. The disorder usually develops between the ages of 3 and 15 years, more often in males than in females. It is characterized by brief, rapid, sudden, involuntary movements of varying intensity, beginning with frequent blinking, eyebrow squeezing, nasal aspiration, and mouth pouting. It starts with frequent blinking, eyebrow squeezing, nose sucking, pouting, mouth opening, tongue stretching, and head nodding.  As the disease progresses, the twitching gradually diversifies, alternating with shrugging, neck twisting, head shaking, leg kicking, hand flinging or limb twitching, etc. The symptoms are often more pronounced during emotional stress or anxiety, and disappear after sleep. Vocal tics are often of various kinds, with explosive repeated vocalizations, clear noise and grunts, individual syllables, unclear words and phrases, improper stress or constant obscene speech, and an impatient, capricious and irritable personality. It is often accompanied by inattentiveness in class or a decline in grades. In severe cases, the movements and pronunciation interfere with learning and classroom order. The symptoms of tic disorder are fluctuating, progressive and chronic in course.  Tic disorder can be harmful to children’s growth and is often ridiculed by classmates because of its symptoms. The symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome are often teased by peers. This can lead to low self-esteem and isolation. Over time, children become lonely. They are reluctant to get in touch with others and even become vindictive and hostile to the mockers. Some children with inattentiveness may also suffer from a decline in academic performance.  If the child has the above performance or similar symptoms, you need to take to see a psychologist in time!