For instance, maybe you feel a certain tension in the area before the tic, and the tic relieves that tension. For example, tension in the throat may lead to a throat-clearing tic.
You’ll need to become cognizant of the onset of tics, which is why identifying the preemptive urge is important. Then, you can practice the new behavior over and over, particularly when a tic is coming on to change the pattern.
Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep. 14 to 17 year-olds need 8-10 hours of sleep at night. 6 to 13 year-olds need 9-11 hours of sleep at night. 3 to 5 year-olds need 10-13 hours of sleep at night. 2-year-olds need 11-12 hours of sleep at night and 1-2 hours of naps. 1-year-olds need 10 hours of sleep at night and 4 hours of naps. Newborns need 14-17 hours of sleep.
It’s also important to take control of issues in your life as they arise. If you tend to just worry about them instead of doing something, you raise your stress and anxiety level. However, by taking action, you’ll reduce your stress level. Listen to calming music, color, or read a book when you feel stressed. You can also try things like yoga and meditation to reduce your stress levels.
Remember that your tics are nothing to be ashamed of! You have a medical condition, just like asthma, epilepsy, or diabetes.
Talk to your doctor to determine if these drugs are right for you. Discuss using these medications as short-term options while working on behavioral changes. These drugs may make you constipated, give you dry mouth, cause vision blurriness, and make you gain weight. [6] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Two options are clonidine or guanfacine. These drugs are typically prescribed for high blood pressure, but they can help with both tics and ADHD. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Another option is clonazepam, which is also used to treat anxiety. Tetrabenazine may help if you have a disease like Huntington’s, though it can cause depression. [9] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Some people respond to topiramate, an epilepsy medication.
