Why Did These Come Back?

Your kid had a few tics.

Maybe some blinking. A head movement. A little throat clearing.

And then suddenly it feels like everything exploded.

They're ticcing constantly. There are new tics you've never seen before. They're louder, bigger, or just way more noticeable.

What happened?

First, tics change. A lot.

Why did my kid's tics suddenly get worse?

Tics naturally wax and wane. They can get better, get worse, disappear for a while, come back, or get replaced by completely different tics.

Sometimes there's an obvious reason for a spike:

• Stress or excitement
• Being tired
• Illness
• Changes in routine
• Situations where your kid is working really hard to hold tics in

And sometimes?

There isn't a clear reason at all.

Which is incredibly frustrating when you're a parent trying to figure out what changed.

Should I tell my kid to stop?

Usually, no.

Pointing out every tic, telling your kid to stop, or constantly checking whether they're ticcing can make your kid more self-conscious and turn tics into the main event in your house.

You don't need to pretend the tics don't exist.

You also don't need to spend all day talking about them.

When should we actually do something?

Here's the more important question:

Are the tics actually causing problems?

Are they painful? Embarrassing? Getting in the way at school? Making it hard to read, write, sleep, play sports, or hang out with friends?

Is your kid spending a ton of energy trying to suppress them? Are they avoiding things because of their tics?

A dramatic increase in tics can be really alarming to watch. But more tics doesn't automatically mean your child needs treatment.

When tics are bothering your kid or interfering with their life, that's when treatment is worth considering.

What treatment actually helps tics?

One of the best-supported behavioral treatments for tic disorders and Tourette Syndrome is Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT).

And CBIT isn't just a fancy way of telling your kid to stop ticcing.

Kids learn to understand their own tic patterns, recognize urges when possible, and use specific behavioral strategies for tics that are actually bothering them.

Importantly, not every tic needs to be treated.

What if I'm still worried?

If the change is dramatic, your child is in pain, tics are interfering with daily life, or you simply aren't sure what you're looking at, getting an evaluation can help.

At Beyond Borders CBT, our clinicians specialize in tic disorders, Tourette Syndrome, and CBIT through telehealth in multiple states.