DD has a couple of nervous tics, should I be woried?

[bunjies]

DD(8) has had one tic for about a year or so. Basically she coughs to clear her throat which, at its best, occurs a couple of times an hour to every 10 seconds when it's really bad. It gets worse when she's involved with something like watching tv or listening to music. We did ignore it but recently it's been really starting to annoy me (especially during the 10/sec phase) so I have been reminding her she's doing it. Sometimes it stops for a bit but mostly it doesn't make a difference. She says she doesn't even realise she's doing it.

The second tic is more recent (a few months) and perhaps more disturbing. A few times a day she will press into her abdomen just above her pubic bone. When I asked her why she did it she said because it felt nice as it gave her a tickly feeling. I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions but is this a form of maturbation?

So, should I be worried about either?

If you are at all worried I would have a chat with your GP. My nephew has a mild tick like couch and we don't make and issue out of it. They are common I think and can be genetic. It is worse when he is anxious..

Have no experience of the later I'm afraid but may a chat with GP (maybe without DD) may put your mind at rest.

That should be cough not couch!!

DS had the cough tic for a couple of years and grew out of it now (he's 8, almost 9 now).
I wouldn't worry too much, although I would try to figure out whether there's anuthing stressing her- school, perhaps?

The latter- could be trick, could be because it feels nice. I wouldn't worry about it.

Sorry for not coming back. Got sidetracked by The Mentalist . Thanks for the reassurance.

winnybella - that's good your ds grew out of the tic after a couple of years. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about but I've been scaring myself by reading about Tourettes which talks about tics that last for longer than 12 months which this has.

Taking her to the dr is a bit complicated atm as we're in France and my language isn't that great for discussing complex medical matters . I don't want there to be any misunderstanding about it. Also French GPs are very keen on prescribing medicine before anything else.

Bunjies-I'm in France as well- and the paediatrician that I mention DS's tic to (we were there for a check up and he kept on 'coughing") took one look at him and said it was a tic and not to do anything and it will pass.

Thanks winnybella. Whereabouts are you?

Paris.
And you?

Nowhere near as glamourous - in the Haute Vienne - but we'll be moving back to the UK within a year or two.

Bunjies - speaking from personal experience here as I have (mild) Tourette's and it started when I was about 6 or 7 with nose wrinkling tics, then vocal ones such as coughs etc.
A few words of advice if I may - firstly if it is Tourette's, don't work yourself into a frenzy about it (although I must admit I do get worried that either of my 2 boys will develop it as it's is apparently hereditary to some degree) as I've lived most of my life quite happily without problems, never shouted swear words in the supermarket etc. (at least not involuntarily ha ha)
I was teased as a child but all it did was force me to develop coping mechanisms which were to 'substitute' a less visible tic (such as flexing my knee muscle) for a more visible one such as a wink, cough, etc. I know this doesn't sound like fun, and frankly it isn't, but I just want you to know that if it is Tourette's, it needn't be the end of the world. Most people who know me have no idea I have it - you learn to hide it well, it's just one of those things.
Tourette's never occurs without OCD (although you can have OCD and not Tourette's) so I'd look for obsessive / compulsive behaviour in your DD, obsessive thought patterns or 'having' to walk / do something in a particular way. If she has that too, then it might be worth talkign to someone in the medical profession for some advice. A neurologist is the person you want to be referred to, rather than a psychologist etc.
Most important of all, don't make a big deal out of it to her - don't tell her off for doing the cough / throat clearance or whatever, even if it annoys you (hard, I know), as she will get even more stressed if she feels she can't just 'let herself go' and let the tics out at home, the one place that's meant to be a haven of unconditional love.
If you can, I'd talk to her about what makes her do the tics and how it feels - the best analogy I can give is that it's like an itch that needs scratching, you simply have to do the thing, and then the urge passes until the next time.
To sum up, don't be worried about it but do be aware of how she's feeling - the chances are it's something that will pass and she'll grow out of it, but if it's not, please don't be afraid, it needn't be something that affects her very negatively. And whatever you do, don't let doctors prescribe her any drugs, they won't do any good at all.
Hope things work out OK.

My DH and both DSs are prone to mild facial tics - blinking, throat clearing, nose wrinkling etc. DH says that it starts when he is tired, and quickly becomes a habit. He can control it by making a concerted effort, and eventually he gets on top of it, and it disappears. DS1 has managed this, but DS2 is still doing the blinking. Probably because he's not that bothered about how he appears.

Thank you for your messages Snowtiger & Butterbur. I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner, I didn't realise there'd been more replies.

I really appreciate hearing your view on this Snowtiger. I'm pretty sure she doesn't have any OCD behaviours so at least that's something. I know I shouldn't make it a big deal of it but it can be so irritating. It is odd though as she only does it when she's occupied like watching tv, listening to music and reading. Never when she's stressed.

Anyway, thanks again.