Types of tics related to Tourette's disorder
Vocal and motor tics can be simple or complex.
Types of vocal tics:
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Simple vocal tics involve
simple sounds made by moving air through the nose or mouth. Simple vocal tics
include:
- Grunting, barking, and hissing.
- Sniffing, snorting, or throat-clearing.
-
Complex vocal tics involve
more complex sounds, including words, phrases, and sentences. A person who has
a complex motor tic may talk to him or herself, repeat his or her own words
(palilalia) or other people's words (echolalia), or use obscene words
(coprolalia). Complex vocal tics may interrupt the smooth flow of a normal
conversation or occur at the beginning of a sentence, much like a stutter or a
stammer. Complex vocal tics include statements such as:
- "Yeah, that's right."
- "Now you've got it."
Types of motor tics:
- Simple motor tics involve only one muscle group. They can be embarrassing or painful (such as jaw snapping). Simple motor tics include:
-
Complex motor tics can be a
combination of many simple motor tics or a series of movements that involve
more than one muscle group. Complex motor tics are slower and often appear as
if the person is making the movements intentionally. Complex motor tics can
interfere greatly with daily activities and may be self-destructive (such as
head-banging or lip-biting). Examples include:
- Obscene gesturing or gyrating movements.
- Skipping, hopping, or twirling.
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