Moving a foot while sitting, running a hand through your hair, winking, biting your nails, licking your lips, cracking your fingers, shaking your head, sighing, snorting, clearing your throat…
The list of manias or nervous tics is practically endless and ranges from movements that go virtually unnoticed to those that are much more obvious and annoying, not to mention those that can be potentially harmful since they fall into the realm of the pathological.
We all have tics
Scientific studies focus primarily on the most severe forms of neurobehavioral disorders, such as Tourette syndrome, which is characterized by motor and verbal tics that can be extremely bothersome for the individual and those around them. However, the truth is that we all engage in repetitive, nonfunctional behaviors. We could even say that these nervous tics are a barometer of our level of tranquility or anxiety.
Living in a highly demanding social environment predisposes us to developing these habits. Added to this is stress and rushing, which don’t exactly help the brain curb these tics. The most curious thing, however, is that many people aren’t fully aware of these automatic gestures, movements, or vocalizations. These tics have become so automated that they don’t even notice them; it’s often others who point out their existence.
The 3 types of nervous tics
Nervous tics are involuntary movements of a small group of muscles or short-lived vocalizations. Psychologists have divided these “nonfunctional motivational behaviors” into three categories.
1. Classical tic
These are motor tics that involve movements in response to a stressful stimulus. This stimulus is similar to feeling an itch, which prompts us to scratch it immediately, without thinking about it, as a reflex. However, there are also simple verbal tics, such as clearing the throat, inhaling, or clearing the throat. The common factor among these tics is that they usually appear suddenly and are perceived as more abrupt.
2. Fluid tic
In this case, the movements are usually not triggered by a sudden, irresistible impulse, so they are much more fluid and rhythmic. An example is when we rhythmically tap our fingers or a pencil on a surface, nervously move our feet, or sway our body while standing in line. These are repetitive, constant movements that only disappear when the tension is relieved.
3. Repetitive and compulsive tics
These movements focus on the body and appear repetitively, but not unexpectedly. This is the case with nail-biting or hair-pulling. They are often related to obsessive personality traits and a tendency toward perfectionism.
The origin of nervous tics dates back to childhood
Most of the repetitive behaviors we display as adults originate in childhood. An immature brain, unable to recognize and manage emotions like an adult’s, resorts to motor activity to cope with stressful situations. This is why many children often develop tics.
The curious thing is that these tics usually emerge between the ages of 6 and 10, which is when children begin to better manage their feelings, finding a way to channel them in a more “adult” and socially acceptable way. In practice, the tic becomes a repetitive movement that we gradually “soften” so that it can accompany us in social situations.
For this reason, many psychologists believe that tics don’t actually disappear completely, but rather that we learn to control them better, so they go somewhat more unnoticed in different contexts. The problem can arise in highly stressful situations, when we can’t exercise the same degree of self-control and these movements are more intense and obvious. Therefore, the origin of nervous tics usually lies in childhood.
Tics relieve tension in stressful situations
Neuroscientists at Columbia University explain that all of these behaviors are linked to an area of the brain called the basal ganglia, which is involved in controlling motor functions. The basal ganglia are like the brain’s movement control center.
In practice, when situations are frustrating or stressful, the basal ganglia select, or fail to correctly inhibit, a predefined, stereotyped, and habitual motor behavior. In fact, animals also use these gestures to relieve tension. When they feel anxious or bored, they may rock, walk in circles, or compulsively lick themselves.
The main characteristic of these repetitive movements is that they don’t require cognitive resources; we can perform them automatically even when our mind is overwhelmed. In fact, the brain can even perceive them as a reward, which stimulates the production of neurotransmitters that allow us to calm down.
In this regard, a study conducted at New York University found that in a healthy brain, repetitive movements such as tics are linked to increased serotonin production, which helps stabilize emotional states, inhibit aggression, and improve mood, particularly when we feel stressed or depressed.
When are nervous tics a cause for concern?
Most people don’t seek help from a psychologist to eliminate these minor tics, especially because these movements or vocalizations help temporarily relieve anxiety; they’re like an escape valve. However, some tics can become a problem.
You need to seek help if:
- Tics are self-mutilating behaviors, such as nail or hair biting, as this can worsen and eventually cause other health problems.
- The tic is out of control and causes discomfort in daily life or affects performance.
- The tic is involuntary and rapid, and it gets worse, either because it becomes more intense, more frequent, or new variants are added.
References:
Bronfeld, M. & Bar-Gad, I. (2013) Tic Disorders. What Happens in the Basal Ganglia? Neuroscientist; 19(1): 101-108.
Broderick, P. A. (2013) Neuromolecular Imaging Shows Temporal Synchrony Patterns between Serotonin and Movement within Neuronal Motor Circuits in the Brain. Brain Sciences; 3(2): 992–1012.
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