Understanding Tourette’s and Tic Disorders
Tourette’s and tic disorders can be confusing and stressful, especially when symptoms change over time or become more noticeable in social settings. Many people with tics describe it as feeling like their body is “doing something on its own”, even when they are trying hard to stay calm, focused, or still.
For families, it can be equally challenging. Parents often worry about school, friendships, confidence, and whether they are responding in the “right” way at home. For teenagers, it can feel even harder, especially when peer attention and social pressure are high.
According to the MSD Manual, Tics are defined as repeated, sudden, rapid, nonrhythmic muscle movements including sounds or vocalizations. Tourette syndrome is diagnosed when people have had both motor and vocal tics.
At Logic Lounge, we provide supportive, evidence-informed psychological care for children, teenagers, and families affected by Tourette’s and tic disorders. Our focus is practical and compassionate. We help clients understand what’s happening, reduce distress, build confidence, and strengthen coping skills.
Tics generally fall into two categories:
- Motor tics, such as blinking, facial movements, shoulder shrugging, head movements, or tapping
- Vocal tics, such as throat clearing, sniffing, humming, or repeating sounds/words
Some people experience tics for a short period. Others experience them over longer periods and may identify with Tourette’s or a chronic tic disorder.
Importantly, tics are not a sign of laziness, attention-seeking, or “bad behaviour”. For many people, the pressure to suppress tics can actually increase distress and worsen symptoms.
Tourette’s and the Stress Cycle
One of the most common patterns we see is the stress-tic-stress loop:
- Stress increases
- Tics increase
- Embarrassment or worry increases
- Stress increases again
This cycle can be especially tough for young people in school environments, where they may feel watched, judged, or misunderstood.
Psychological support can help interrupt this loop by building tools for emotional regulation, confidence, and stress reduction. Many clients benefit from learning practical strategies through psychological support for stress, particularly when symptoms flare around school terms, exams, transitions, or social events.
Our Psychologists & Psychiatrist Providing Support for Tourette's & Tic Disorders
The Emotional Side of Tic Disorders (Often Overlooked)
Tourette’s and tic disorders are not only about movement or sound. They can affect how a person feels about themselves.
Over time, tics can impact:
- confidence and self-esteem
- fear of being noticed or judged
- avoidance of social situations
- frustration, shame, or self-consciousness
- emotional exhaustion from “masking” symptoms
Some people begin to withdraw socially, not because they want to be alone, but because it feels safer than being watched.
Where low mood becomes persistent, we may also support clients experiencing depression.
Social Confidence, Friendships, and Peer Relationships
For children and teenagers, friendships matter deeply. Peer reactions can strongly influence how a young person experiences their tics.
Tics can lead to:
- unwanted attention or questions
- teasing or bullying
- feeling different or “not normal”
- difficulty joining in with peers
- fear of public embarrassment
Therapy can help young people develop confidence and communication skills, including ways to explain tics to others (if they choose to), manage social anxiety, and rebuild trust in friendships.
This often overlaps with support for peer relationship difficulty.
When an Assessment Might Be Helpful
Sometimes, families want clarity about what is happening, especially when there are concerns about attention, learning, emotional regulation, or social development.
In these situations, a structured assessment can help identify strengths, challenges, and support needs. Logic Lounge provides psychological assessments that can inform school planning and guide therapy goals.
Some individuals with tics may also have overlapping neurodevelopmental features. Where relevant, we may explore whether support for ASD is appropriate, without assuming or labelling.
Children and Adolescent Psychology Support
Early support can make a meaningful difference. It can help children feel less confused or ashamed, and it can help parents respond with more confidence and consistency.
Logic Lounge provides developmentally tailored care through children and adolescent psychology, supporting emotional wellbeing at home, school, and in peer relationships.
How Psychology Can Help With Tourette’s and Tic Disorders
Therapy does not aim to “force” a person to stop ticcing. Instead, we focus on helping clients feel more supported, more capable, and less distressed.
Psychological support may include:
- understanding triggers and patterns
- reducing stress and emotional overwhelm
- strengthening emotional regulation skills
- improving confidence and self-esteem
- supporting social communication and peer relationships
- helping families respond consistently and calmly
- creating strategies for school and everyday functioning
Many clients also benefit from building practical coping skills, especially when tics increase during stress or fatigue.
A Note on Statistics and Why Support Matters
Research consistently shows that adolescence is a key window for mental health support. For example, around 1 in 7 children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 experience a mental disorder in a given year. While this statistic is not specific to Tourette’s, it highlights how common mental health difficulties are during childhood and teen years, and why early support matters.
For families, stress can also be significant. Studies on parenting stress suggest that caregivers of children with additional support needs often experience higher levels of fatigue, worry, and emotional load, especially when school difficulties and peer issues are involved.
This is why our approach includes support for the whole system, not only the individual symptoms.
Living with Tourette’s or a tic disorder can be frustrating, and at times isolating. But with the right support, many individuals and families can build confidence, reduce distress, and improve day-to-day functioning.
At Logic Lounge, we provide warm, evidence-informed support that respects the individual behind the symptoms. Whether you’re seeking support for your child, your teen, or yourself, we can help you work toward steadier coping and greater confidence.
