#mental tics

What is a mental tic?

A mental tic is a phenomena in Tourettes Syndrome and Tic Disorders in which a phrase, sound, image, or word repeats in the mind, similar how how a motor of vocal tic would physically.

Sometimes the mental tic can lead to a motor tic, for example if the mental tic is thinking "big boobs" repeatedly, the person then may also tic and touch out to reach any 'big boobs' in person. Same goes with a mental tic leading to a vocal tic.

These are sometimes referred to as Cognitive tics in clinical settings.

What types of mental tics are there?

Coproskepsi: repeating swear words/slurs/inappropriate phrases or thoughts in your head.

Echoskepsi: repeating words/phrases/etc in your head that another person has said.

Paliskepsi: repeating your own thoughts in your head.

So.. Isn't this the same thing as having intrusive thoughts??

Nope!

Intrusive thoughts are common in OCD, which is certainly a comorbidity of TS however, mental tics are not the same thing as intrusive thoughts seen in OCD.

In OCD, the intrusive thought will lead to distress that can be neutralized by a compulsive act (checking the door, turning the lights three times, etc). While mental tics may be annoying, they typically do not cause extreme distress and are not neutralized by any behaviour.

If the mental tic is relieved briefly by a physical tic, its still different because this action goes with thought, whereas in OCD the action is to go against the thought to neutralize it.

1. When did you first develop/notice your tics?

2. What was your first tic?

3. What is your most recent tic?

4. What is your favorite tic?

5. What is your least favorite tic?

6. How long did it take you to love your tics (or are you still getting there)?

7. How do you feel about people mentioning your tics?

8. Do you get premonitory urges?

9. What is your most unique tic?

10. What is something you wish you could tell people who don't have tics?

Hi, I’m raven and I have Tourette syndrome (TS) and it is Tourette’s awareness month so I wanted to explain the basics of TS

Tourette Syndrome is a neurodevolpmental disorder that causes tics, tics are uncontrollable movements or sounds caused by specific brain activity. You need tics to have Tourette’s but it can cause other symptoms.

Those with Tourette’s have at least 1 vocal tic and at least 2 motor tics but can have more, they also have had tics for over a year and had an onset before the age of 18

People with TS can often feel the tics before they happen and can sometimes suppress them for a little

Tics can be triggered by certain things and can fluctuate in severity

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Mental tics can be different volumes, so you may have a repetitive phrase or song in your mind that is 'louder' than your usual thoughts.

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But for some of us, mental tics can be tiring, stressing, and can make you lose focus, and are not pleasant, in my opinion, the difference on mental tics and an obsession is that obsessions can make you feel anxious, but mental tics don’t.

A name for them, is paliskepsi, echoskepsi and coproskepsi.

Coproskepsi: Swear words in the mind.

Echoskepsi: Repeating things in your mind which you have heard.

Paliskepsi: Rethinking your own thoughts.