[Health Column] Recurring Tic Changes in Children: What Should You Record and How Should You Examine Them? Tic Management from the Perspective of Balanced Brain Development

 

hello, Director No Chung-gu of Neuum Korean Medicine Clinic It is. 🌿
Parents are bound to worry if they feel relieved because their child with tic symptoms barely blinked for a few days, but then one day the blinking starts to become noticeable again, or if shoulder shrugging that wasn't there before appears, or if the throat clearing sound becomes more frequent.

 

“I thought it had gotten better, but has it started again?” “Since new symptoms have appeared, could it have gotten worse?” When a child’s symptoms change, guardians become worried that the condition, which was recovering, may have deteriorated.

 

In the last column, I explained why tics fluctuate in and out, and how best to respond at home during those times. Today, we will go a step further and... Instead of visible movements, what to observe and how to record them , and not looking at the child based on just a tic The perspective of 'balanced brain development' I am going to try to summarize why this is necessary.

 

🌿 What this article covers
· What to check when symptoms reappear
· Things good to record before a medical consultation and record examples
· It is a good sign to consult with medical professionals
· A Brain Balance Development Perspective that Views a Child's Overall Daily Life Beyond Tics
· Ways to prevent caregivers from getting exhausted

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I. If symptoms reappear, does that mean the improvement I've seen so far has disappeared?

Rather than continuing with a constant intensity, tics may exhibit a fluctuating pattern where symptoms decrease and then become prominent again. While it is natural to regard periods of reduced symptoms as a sign of recovery, just because they reappear... It cannot be said that all the improvement seen so far has disappeared.

 

It is difficult to conclude that the disorder is continuing to worsen based solely on the fact that tic symptoms have reappeared. In such cases, rather than comparing only visible movements Aspects of change class Difficulties a child experiences in daily life It is important to examine this together. Therefore, this article starts with 'what to look at and what to write.'

 

II. What should we look for instead of visible movements?

When examining changes, instead of saying 'increased' or 'decreased,' try distinguishing the following four things.

Organizing it this way helps identify what kind of help the child currently needs, going beyond simply whether symptoms have increased or decreased.

 

For example, blinking may have decreased, but a new movement of shrugging the shoulders may appear. In this case, it is difficult to determine the overall severity based solely on the fact that a new symptom has appeared. However, symptoms such as neck or shoulder pain from repetitive movements, or avoiding presentations due to self-consciousness about friends' stares caused by noise, may occur. hardships in life If this occurs, please explain it in detail during the consultation.

 

III. What should I record before the medical appointment?

You do not need to record details every day. When there are changes that are helpful for medical practice Types of symptoms and degree of discomfort, changes in living environment It is sufficient to simply write it down. Organizing the time when symptoms first started and the subsequent changes will be helpful when preparing for the medical consultation.

 

On days when tics are more noticeable than usual, you can check if your sleep time has decreased, if your school schedule has been busy, or if you have experienced stressful events such as exams or presentations. However, since you cannot conclude that a specific factor is the cause solely based on the fact that symptoms have increased, it is sufficient to simply note down the time when symptoms became prominent alongside any changes in your living environment. If dry coughing has become more frequent, you should also consider other causes such as colds or allergies.

 

📝 Record Example (This is an example to explain the recording method and is not an actual patient case.)

Things to review	Record example
Changes in symptoms	Shoulder shrugging occurs after reduced blinking
physical discomfort	Says neck hurts after repetitive movements
Lifestyle influence	Started avoiding presentations after a friend asked about sound
The feeling of a child	Saying, “The sound is bothering me.”
Changes in living environment	Recently, my sleep time has decreased and my school schedule has become busier.

When guardians communicate the changes they have observed and the discomfort the child is experiencing, it helps medical staff determine which approach—monitoring the progress or treatment—is appropriate.

 

IV. What signs should I look for to consult a medical professional?

The need for treatment is determined by considering not only the frequency of symptoms but also pain, emotional burden, and the impact on school life and friendships. Please consult a medical professional if you notice any of the following signs in your records.

Conversely, even if tics appear, if the child does not experience significant discomfort and daily life is not interfered with, the condition can be monitored in consultation with medical professionals. Not all tics require immediate treatment. If treatment is deemed necessary, behavioral therapy or medication may be considered; the appropriate method is determined in consultation with medical staff based on the child's symptoms, the degree of discomfort, and any accompanying issues.

 

V. Why We Look at a Child's Balanced Brain Development, Not Just a Single Tic

When managing tic symptoms, not only repetitive movements and sounds A child's overall daily life, including sleep, emotional state, learning, and friendships We need to examine it together.

 

Apart from tics, if difficulties with concentration, anxiety, or emotional regulation appear, these areas can also be treated. However, the mere presence of tics should not lead one to conclude that there are problems in other areas of development.

 

🌿 What is balanced brain development?
What we refer to as 'balanced brain development' is a perspective that examines a child's various developmental areas and daily life to understand their strengths and areas where they need help. Based on the appropriate assessment and management of tic symptoms, it is also important to help the child reduce the burden they experience in daily life and learn and live comfortably.

 

Rather than viewing a child's difficulties solely through the lens of a tic, it is about examining what they struggle with in their daily lives and what kind of help they need. This is why we place such importance on balanced brain development. The aforementioned record-keeping also aligns with this perspective, as it focuses on 'what the child struggles with' rather than 'how many times a tic occurred.'

 

VI. What should be done to ensure that the watching guardian does not get exhausted?

Rather than demanding that the child stop every time a tic appears, you should help them live their daily life without feeling withdrawn due to the symptoms. Repeatedly saying things like, "Stop it," or "Why are you doing that again?" can make the child more self-conscious of their symptoms or feel burdened. While children may be able to suppress their tics for a short time, this does not mean they can always control them freely.

 

📌 Avoid criticism · Get ​​enough rest · Reassure · Keep a simple record

 

Caregivers can also become exhausted or anxious as they continue to observe symptoms. Rather than trying to explain every change immediately, simply record only the necessary information, and So that time spent with your child is not filled only with conversations about tics Please do it.

 

🍵 Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. If the tics decrease and then reappear, has it started again from the beginning?

That is not necessarily the case. Tics can fluctuate over time. Rather than concluding that your previous efforts and improvement have been wasted simply because symptoms have reappeared, examine your current symptoms and their impact on your daily life.

 

Q2. Will tics disappear if I reduce stress?

While tension and fatigue can affect tic fluctuations, stress cannot be concluded to be the sole cause. Provide sufficient rest and emotional support, but if symptoms persist or interfere with daily life, please seek medical attention.

 

Q3. Do I need to record my symptoms every day?

You do not need to keep a detailed record every day. Simply note down the type of symptoms, the degree of discomfort, and changes in your living environment whenever there are changes that may be helpful for your medical treatment.

 

Q4. If my tics repeatedly worsen and then improve, do I need to continue treatment?

The decision to continue treatment is not made solely based on fluctuations in symptoms. It is determined by periodically consulting with medical staff to check whether the current treatment helps reduce the child's discomfort and whether there are any side effects.

 

🌿 Wrapping up

Tics can improve and then become prominent again, and the patterns of movement or sound may change over time. It is difficult to conclude recovery or deterioration based solely on these changes. The following points should be kept in mind:

When symptoms reappear, the most important thing is not to conclude that all efforts to improve have vanished, but, What changes are happening in the child now and what is needed It is about observation. If the guardian communicates the changes observed and the discomfort the child is experiencing, it helps the medical team determine whether observation or treatment is the appropriate approach.

 

This article provides general health information and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment.

 

📚 References
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Tourette Syndrome. — Guide on the characteristics of tics and the course of symptoms
· National Health Service (NHS). Tics. — Patient guidance on tic symptoms and fluctuation patterns
· Pringsheim T, Okun MS, Müller-Vahl K, et al. Practice guideline recommendations summary: Treatment of tics in people with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders. Neurology. 2019;92(19):896–906. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000007466 — American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Practice Guidelines for the Assessment and Treatment of Tics
· National Health Service (NHS). Tics — Treatment. — Guide on lifestyle management, behavioral therapy, and medication for tics
The contents of the references have been summarized to aid understanding. An individual's symptoms and treatment direction must be confirmed through an evaluation by medical professionals.

 

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