Tics, Tourette Syndrome and Teen Life: Understanding What's Really Going On
Supporting a teenager with Tics or Tourette Syndrome can bring plenty of questions. Tics can seem to appear out of nowhere, change over time, and often attract attention from other people, which can sometimes be harder for young people than the tics themselves.
In this Let's All Talk Mental Health session, Clinical Psychologist Dr Jane Gilmour shared insights into what Tics are, why they happen, and how parents can help teenagers feel understood and accepted.
What are Tics?
Tics are involuntary movements or sounds that a person cannot simply choose to stop. They can be physical movements, such as blinking, shoulder shrugging or head movements, or vocal tics, such as throat clearing, sniffing, sounds, words or phrases. Some tics are simple, involving a single movement or sound, while others are more complex and may involve several movements, gestures, words or phrases.
Many people are surprised to learn just how common tics are. Around 20% of young people will experience an occasional tic at some point during childhood. In many cases these are temporary, may barely be noticed, and often disappear on their own. These are often referred to as transient tics.
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition and sits within a wider family of tic conditions. To receive a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, a young person must experience both motor and vocal tics for longer than a year. Parents may also hear terms such as chronic tic disorder, where motor or vocal tics persist over time, or functional tics, which can look very similar to Tourette-related tics but are thought to arise through different neurological processes and may require a different approach to support and treatment.
Although these conditions are different, families will often hear them discussed together because they all involve involuntary movements or sounds. One of the key things to remember is that tics can change over time, with one tic disappearing and another taking its place.
Why do Tics happen?
Although researchers are still learning more about the causes of tics, we know they are neurological in nature. Differences in brain circuits involved in movement and the suppression of unwanted movements appear to play a role, along with changes in the way certain neurotransmitters, including dopamine, work within the brain.
Tics often run in families, and many parents recognise similarities in their own childhood experiences once the subject is discussed.
Tics change over time
One of the most important things for parents to understand is that tics are rarely static. They tend to wax and wane, becoming more noticeable at some times and less so at others. A tic may disappear completely, only to be replaced by a different one. This changing pattern is completely normal and can make it difficult for families to know exactly what is happening at first.
Tics often become more noticeable during late childhood, usually peaking around the ages of 10 to 12. The encouraging news is that for many young people they become less frequent and less disruptive as they move through adolescence, and many adults who had Tourette Syndrome as children experience very few tics later in life.
Stress, excitement and transitions
Parents often notice that tics become more obvious during times of stress, tiredness or anxiety. Exam periods, friendship difficulties and busy school environments can all have an impact. However, positive experiences can also increase tics. Excitement, holidays, birthdays or starting a new school can all lead to an increase in tic activity. This doesn't mean anything is wrong. It simply reflects the way strong emotions can influence the brain systems involved in tic expression.
The biggest misconception about Tourette Syndrome
Many people still assume that Tourette Syndrome always involves swearing. In reality, only a small minority of people with Tourette experience involuntary swearing or socially inappropriate language. Dr Gilmour discussed the recent public debate surrounding a racial slur spoken by a person with Tourette Syndrome. She emphasised that these vocal tics are not chosen and are not a reflection of a person's beliefs, values or character. Words produced as part of a tic are neurological events, not deliberate statements. While hearing such language can understandably be upsetting for others, it is important to recognise that these words are not intentional and do not represent the person's views.
Interestingly, Tourette-related swearing is often described as the brain producing inherently inappropriate words at socially inappropriate moments. It is not about wanting to say those words; quite the opposite.
Living with tics can be exhausting
One of the most powerful parts of the discussion focused on what it actually feels like to have a tic. Many young people describe a build-up of tension or an urge before the tic occurs. Dr Gilmour compared it to trying not to blink. The longer you resist, the stronger the urge becomes, and the more relief you feel when you finally blink.
For teenagers, this can be physically tiring, frustrating and emotionally draining. At a stage of life when fitting in feels especially important, having movements or sounds that draw attention can feel particularly difficult.
What helps?
Perhaps the most important message from the session was surprisingly simple: ignore the tic, not the young person. Although it often comes from a place of kindness, drawing attention to tics can sometimes make them worse. Constantly asking if someone is OK or commenting on a tic may inadvertently increase a young person's self-consciousness.
Instead, focus on the teenager, not the tic.
Parents can make a huge difference by modelling calm acceptance. Communicating "this is part of you, and it's okay" helps reduce anxiety and creates an environment where young people feel supported rather than judged.
Tics rarely exist in isolation
Tourette Syndrome often occurs alongside other neurodevelopmental differences, including ADHD, OCD, autism and anxiety. These co-occurring difficulties can sometimes have a greater impact on a young person's daily life than the tics themselves. Being aware of this can help parents recognise when additional support may be helpful.
What to remember
Tics are common, neurological and involuntary. They are not attention-seeking, bad behaviour or a reflection of character.
For many young people, understanding from the people around them can be one of the most powerful forms of support. Awareness, acceptance and empathy help reduce the emotional pressure that often surrounds tics and can make a real difference to a teenager's confidence and wellbeing.
As Dr Gilmour concluded, one of the most effective interventions for tics is often awareness itself.
Watch the full session
Watch the full session with Dr Jane Gilmour on the Let’s All Talk Mental Health hub here.
Resources
ACAMH - Tic Resources
Tourette Syndrome Charity Resources