Tics / Habits 4 year old?

[babypup]

Hi everybody,

I'm new to this site...but registered as I am having a tough time with my 4.5 year old and wondered if anybody can relate or offer some words of wisdom.

Shortly after his 4th birthday (beginning of May 13) he developed an eye blinking tic. I was quite scared, having read up on things like tourettes being a possibility, but hoped it would just pass and may be a phase. The blinking stopped at then end of July, so lasted 3 months in total.

At the end of November I noticed it coming back, but it disappeared early Dec, only to flare up again on boxing day and is showing no signs of going but is getting worse.

I feel like my hopes of this being a temporary issue are now slipping away and that this may be more serious. I read that transient tics tend to go away and not recur, so should I now be getting more concerned about tourettes?

Has anybody had a child that has experienced tics, it would be great to hear your stories xx

Hi, Today is the first day I have logged onto this for details of a writing competition my sister told me about and I came across your comment about tics. Funny thing is my child has developed it too just recently. He is seven now but about 2 years ago he started pulling faces occassionly, we thought it was maybe a habit he picked up from wearing glasses and everytime he went for an eye test I mentioned it, but it was dismissed as a habit. He went for an eye test 2/3 wks ago and was given eye drops before the examination and since then his facial movements have got worse and are constant. It is hard to describe but it is like exagerated blinking and screwing his face up too. We went to the doctors last week because me and my husband are both concerned but the doctor just said see how he goes and prescribed him medicine! I have also considered could it be tourrets and my childs symptoms have not improved so I will be going back to my doctors to request a referal to a childrens hospital.

Thanks for your message Simpleminds. It's such a worry isn't it, seeing them do things that are outwith their control? You can't help but let your mind wander to the worst possible scenario. I am going to go back to doctor again when they reopen tomorrow. I was told it was just a habit first time around, but the fact this has recurred is now troubling me somewhat. I sincerely hope everything is well with your child, please keep me updated via the thread and I will do the same. It's so tough trying to figure this all out x