Tic disorder refers to neurological symptoms such as sudden, rapid, repetitive movements or sounds, including 'coughing, sniffing, making vocal sounds, neck jerking, and rolling the eyes.' When tic symptoms like coughing or eye blinking appear in daily life, they are often mistaken for rhinitis or bad habits, leading to them not being properly recognized and overlooked. If symptoms are concentrated in the upper body and the duration of onset is short, the treatment period tends to be shorter and comparatively easier, whereas in cases where the child is aged 13 or older or has vocal tics, treatment may take longer.
The causes of tic disorders are diverse and complex, and the precise cause has not yet been identified. However, it is known that genetic, environmental, and neurological factors work together.
In conventional medicine, pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, habit reversal training, and similar approaches are used for the diagnosis and treatment of tic disorders.
Overcoming tic disorders requires the warm hands of everyone who joins the journey.
Treatment of tic disorders must comprehensively consider the body, mind, and even the surrounding environment.
At INI Korean Medicine Clinic, we consider not only the child's health issues but also their surrounding environment. For example, if a child struggles with peer relationships at school, falls behind in studies at an academy and experiences stress, or if the mother is sensitive causing the child to be tense, walk on eggshells, or struggle to suppress tic symptoms, these environments act as significant factors that worsen tic symptoms.
Furthermore, because tic disorders are associated with various symptoms such as attention deficit, anger, episodes, behavioral disorders, depression, and compulsions, physically balancing brain function, structure, and neurological equilibrium is also important.
In the process of treating children's tic disorders, adults including parents and teachers must make concerted efforts together. Care and evaluation before and after treatment are also important; parents and teachers should observe the children's symptoms closely and help improve children's tic disorders through proactive responses and environmental changes.
Ultimately, tic disorders are closely related not only to children's health but also to their surrounding environment. Therefore, customized treatment and support considering the children's surrounding environment are necessary. For the healthy and happy lives of children, it is important for parents and surrounding adults to make efforts together and enhance knowledge and understanding for this purpose.