Transient tic disorder

Transient tic disorder is very common in children (approximately one in four show signs of tics). It is thought by some to be so common as to be normal in children and therefore not a disorder.

By definition it is short-lived, lasting for no more than twelve consecutive months. To be classed as transient tic disorder, the tics must have been present for at least four weeks.

Criteria

 * The patient has vocal or motor tics,or both. They can be single or multiple.
 * For at least 4 weeks but no longer than 12 consecutive months, these tics have occurred many times each day, nearly every day.
 * These symptoms cause marked distress or materially impair work, social or personal functioning.
 * They began before age 18.
 * The symptoms are not directly caused by a general medical condition (such as Huntington's disease or a postviral encephalitis) or to substance use (such as a CNS stimulant).
 * The patient has never fulfilled criteria for Tourette's syndrome or chronic motor or vocal tic disorder.