Tics.. normal or something to worry sbout

[CharlieBoo]

My 14 year old ds has had various tics over the past few years... they don’t last long then go away and a few months come back as something else. At the moment there’s more than one, making a kissing noise and jerking his mouth, also kissing his finger on left hand. I make no big deal out of it as I know that’s the worst thing to do and he can’t help it. He’s a popular kid, lots of friends, sporty, bright, but he does suffer with mild anxiety. My dad is in hospital at the moment and just been diagnosed with terminal cancer which I know he is very worried about and possibly exasperating his tics. I have a drs appointment for him in 3 weeks for something else and I’m wondering whether to mention it or not... what do you think?

My dads had a tic all his life we dont know why. It's worse when stressed or ill. Maybe just mention it?

I would mention it, it can do no harm to discuss it.

Both of my grandsons did this sort of thing, and the older one has grown out of it now.
Clicking, popping, screeching, you name it, the pair of them have done it.

Hmm... has he ever mentioned it to you?

DS tics too (he sometimes refers to it as his "habits"), and I have a feeling that mentioning at the doctor might in DS's case cause anxiety/self-consciousness. But of course it may be different for your DS. Basically, who is this a problem for? Does it distress him?

Tics definitely are affected by stress and tiredness.

My sister has tics - she blinks one eye really tightly and has a weird throat cough. The docs thought it was a habit she'd developed (when it was just the blinking) but when the throat thing started she was referred to a specialist and got diagnosed with Tourette's so definitely worth checking out with GP

Just thinking again... would you mention it to him in a way that's along the lines of "I've wondered whether you're feeling anxious. Do you think you do more of [your habits/however he describes them] when you're anxious about something?". i.e. not concern about the tics themselves, but about whether they indicate he'd like to talk about anything...?