Persistent Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder

About Persistent Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder

Persistent motor or vocal tic disorder, also called chronic tic disorder, is a tic disorder in which a person has either motor tics or vocal tics, but not both, for more than a year, with onset before age 18. It is distinguished from Tourette disorder, which requires both types of tic, and from provisional tic disorder, in which tics have been present for less than a year. Motor tics, such as eye blinking or facial movements, are more common than vocal tics in this condition. Like other tic disorders it often begins in childhood, may fluctuate over time and is often milder than Tourette disorder, and many people find that tics lessen in adulthood. Stress, excitement and tiredness can make tics more noticeable. When tics are mild, education for the person, family and school may be sufficient. When they cause discomfort or interfere with life, behavioral therapies such as habit reversal and comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics are well supported, and medication is sometimes used.