What Are Anxiety Tics?

Do you ever catch yourself experiencing involuntary movements in high-stress situations? You might be having anxiety-induced tics. Learn about how anxiety can cause involuntary tics, how to identify them, and how to manage them effectively.

Anxiety is a common mental health disorder that can manifest in a variety of physical and emotional symptoms. While symptoms such as excessive worry, panic, or tension are widely recognized, a lesser-known manifestation of anxiety is the development of physical tics—involuntary movements or sounds that can be triggered by stress. These tics can disrupt daily life and social interactions, making it important to understand what causes them, how they can be managed, and how they differ from other tic disorders. Read on to learn more.

What are anxiety tics?

Anxiety tics are involuntary, repetitive movements or sounds that, unlike other neurological-related tic disorders, emerge during periods of heightened stress or anxiety. Anxiety tics can range from mild tics that are barely noticeable to more severe tics that can become disruptive and cause the person struggling with them to become embarrassed or self-conscious or struggle in school or work situations. The uncertainty about when anxiety tics will come out can create a vicious cycle where anxiety about the tics makes them even worse and in turn increases stress.

Common forms of anxiety tics include facial grimacing and twitching, such as frequent blinking, and motor tics, like shoulder shrugging or head jerking. Vocal tics can also occur, such as throat clearing, grunting, or repetitive vocalizations. Often referred to as “nervous tics,” these tics typically appear in people with existing anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), or even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

The relationship between anxiety and tics

The connection between anxiety and tics is largely related to how the brain responds to stress, as periods of intense anxiety cause a person’s nervous system to become hyperactive. As a way to release all of its pent-up energy, the brain will go into a sort of “fight-or-flight” mode in the form of involuntary tics. Sometimes, tics may be short-lived, but in the case of ongoing anxiety, they can become chronic. 

Anxiety tics vs. other tic disorders

It is important to know how to tell the difference between anxiety-induced tics and other types of tic disorders, such as Tourette syndrome. While these disorders each involve involuntary tics, they have their own distinguishable characteristics.

The key difference between anxiety-induced tics and other tic disorders is that anxiety tics usually appear during periods of emotional distress and subside when anxiety levels decrease. In contrast, tic disorders, such as Tourette syndrome, often have a genetic or neurological basis and can persist regardless of emotional state. Read on to learn more.

Tourette syndrome 

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that typically starts to appear in early childhood, persisting throughout a person’s life. People with Tourettes experience both motor and vocal tics that can worsen with stress but are not directly caused by anxiety. 

Chronic tic disorder

Chronic tic disorder is seen as a person having experienced either motor or vocal tics that last for more than a year. Unlike transient tic disorder, in which tics disappear within 12 months, chronic tics can be long-term but are usually not as severe as those associated with Tourette syndrome.

Provisional tic disorder

This disorder involves vocal or motor tics that last for less than one year and are often triggered by stress or anxiety. However, unlike chronic tic disorder, these tics resolve on their own over time. Provisional tic disorder is most common in children, and many outgrow the condition as they mature.

Risk factors for anxiety tics

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety tics, such as a history of anxiety disorders. Other risk factors include:

• Chronic stress from work, school, or social situations
• Major life changes such as moving, starting a new job, or entering a new social environment
• A family history of tic disorders or other mental health disorders
• High-pressure environments that trigger stress or anxiety

How to manage anxiety tics

While anxiety tics can be distressing, there are several effective strategies for managing and reducing them. Treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying anxiety, as well as the tics themselves. Here are four useful tips to help manage anxiety-induced tics. 

1. Therapeutic approaches

One of the most effective treatment options for anxiety tics is a comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT), which helps people become more aware of their tics and teaches them alternative behaviors to replace the tics when they feel the urge or stress. Over time, this can significantly reduce the frequency of tics, as well as a reduction in anxiety levels altogether. 

Another widely used approach is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps the patient identify negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and reframe them into healthier thoughts. By challenging these negative thoughts, people can reduce the emotional distress that triggers anxiety tics. 

2. Medications

In some cases, anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed to help manage both anxiety and anxiety-induced tics. Additionally, in cases of severe tics, doctors may also prescribe medications typically used to treat tic disorders, such as antipsychotics or muscle relaxants, to further prevent the tics.

3. Lifestyle adjustments

Managing stress is key to reducing anxiety tics, and simple day-to-day things like regular physical activity, sufficient sleep, and a balanced diet can help improve overall mental health and reduce the severity of tics. Furthermore, practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation or yoga can help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety, potentially decreasing the frequency of tics.

4. Identifying and avoiding triggers

Learning to identify the specific triggers that lead to anxiety tics can be crucial in managing them. Whether it’s a stressful work situation, social anxiety, or other pressures, recognizing these triggers allows people to develop strategies to cope with or avoid them when possible. As the stress from being in these situations decreases, the frequency of anxiety-induced tics will decrease as well.

When to seek professional help

If anxiety tics become chronic or severely impact daily life, it is important to seek professional help. A mental health professional can determine whether the tics are related to anxiety or another underlying neurological disorder, such as chronic tic disorder or Tourette syndrome, and determine the most appropriate course of action. Addressing the issue early can prevent tics from worsening or becoming more ingrained over time, allowing people to regain control over their daily lives.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for dealing with serious mental health conditions. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With treatment, managing your mental health is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.