Chronic Tic Disorder

Chronic Tic Disorder(CTD,Chronic vocal tic disorder; Tic - chronic motor tic disorder) is a tic disorder characterized by either mortor or vocal tics,but not both, that last longer than a year. If both occur at in the same period it is called Tourette Syndrome A tic is a breif meaningless sound or movement or more complex, seemingly organized series of actions or sounds. CTD is more common than TS but not as common than transient tic disorder.

 Like other tic disorder it is not curable."About 1 to 2 percent of the population has the disorder, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

 Symptoms of CTD can include: Excessive blinking,Grimaces of the face,sudden, uncontrollable movements of the legs, arms, or body,sounds such as throat clearing, grunts, or groans

Tics may increase due to stress,exhaustion or changes in emotions. Changes in temperature can also have effect on the tics. 

People with CTD are usually able to restrain their tics for a short time. However, it takes great effort and concentration.Many individuals report a build up of pressure or abnormal sensations in the area before the tic manifest.After the tic there is a common experience of a sense of relief.

Doctors can generally diagnose a tic during a physical examination and family history. There are,at this time, no test to diagnose CTD.

 There are treatments that can help lessen the tics if they are interfering with the individual life.
 Medicines or psychotherapy are only used when the tics have a major impact on daily activities, such as school and job performance.
Some drugs used to treat tics include dopamine blockers, such as pimozide and risperidone. These medicines can help control or reduce tics, but they have side effects that cause other movement disorders or cognitive dulling.

Botulinium toxin injections is used to treat certain form of dystonic tics.
In recent years, brain stimulation using permanently implanted electrodes in the brain has shown promising results.

Children who develop this disorder between ages 6 and 8 usually do very well. Symptoms may last 4 to 6 years, and then stop without treatment in early adolescence.
If  the disorder begins in older children and continues into the 20s, it may become a life-long condition.