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Warning-sign checks

Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Tics alone are rarely a medical emergency.

    Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, choking, severe injury, loss of consciousness, new weakness, or seizure-like activity.

    Immediate help is appropriate if the person may harm themselves or cannot stay safe.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical advice if a movement repeatedly causes injury, significantly interferes with eating or drinking, or is accompanied by a major decline in functioning.

    Someone taking medicine for tics also needs urgent assessment for severe muscle stiffness with fever and confusion, fainting, or another serious reaction.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up can review whether tics are improving, changing, or causing new problems.

    It is also a chance to discuss school or workplace support, emotional health, sleep, medication effects, and whether treatment goals still match the person’s needs.

    Arrange a routine appointment if tics persist, become painful, interfere with daily activities, or are accompanied by attention, anxiety, compulsive, mood, or learning concerns.

    A clinician should also review movements or sounds that begin suddenly, look different from previous tics, or follow a medication change.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a symptom that has lasted more than a couple of weeks without improving

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.