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Try one of these related symptoms.
Sudden movement
Tics
Motor tics
Repetitive movements or sounds
Uncontrollable jerks
Habit of blinking more than necessary
Sudden uttered sounds
Vocal tics
Tourette's syndrome
Movement disorder
About the Symptom
Tics are repetitive movements or sounds. The person experiencing tics cannot control them. Tics are due to changes in the parts of the brain that control movement.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Irresistible urge to make small movements
Possible Causes
Generally, Tics can be related to:
- Tics
A condition where patients experience a strong, almost irresistible urge to perform an action like shaking their head, squeezing their eyes, or making a particular noise. Most tics improve with the transition to adulthood, but may persist for some. Known triggers include sleep deprivation, excitement, and stress.
- Spiny Red Cell Chorea
Spiny red cell chorea, also known as chorea-acanthocytosis or Levine-Critchley syndrome, is a very rare neurological disorder characterized by high numbers of misshapen, spiny red blood cells (acanthocytes) circulating in the bloodstream, combined with rapid, involuntary, purposeless movements (chorea). Additional symptoms can include include seizures and odd behavior. The disorder is caused by a mutation on the VPS13A gene and runs in families.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that is characterized by attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and inability to control one's behavior (impulsiveness). It often starts in childhood and can cause a child to struggle in school, at home, or in social relationships. It is more common in male children. The causes of ADHD remain unclear but risk factors include genetic factors, tobacco use during pregnancy, premature delivery, and low birth weight.
- Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have repetitive movements like shoulder jerking, facial muscle twitching, or eye blinking?
- How long have you had repeated twitching of face, shoulders, eyelids (tics)?
- How has the twitching changed since it started?
Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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