Not a nervous tic but my son suffers from anxiety (which seems to run rampant in my family). He'll compulsively rub his nose like it's running to the point that it gets all red and raw. He's been a lot better lately - it peaked when things in his life changed (starting daycare, not seeing his father anymore). The other problem is that he's physically bigger and more advanced communication wise than kids his age so he's treated like he's older...but he's still just a little boy and I think that frustrates him.

It really, really bothers me that a 3 year old can have anxiety. He's highly intelligent which is great but he's also an over thinker and therefore a worrier.

My older brother's son started to roll his eyes (like you do when someone is annoying you) when he was about 6 or 7. I knew there was more to it and kept telling my mom to talk to my brother about it. He was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome last year.

JustErin said:

My oldest has anxiety. I think that makes his tendency to do the rocking even worse. I try and reassure him, but I also don't make too big of a deal about it. I think if he sees that I'm anxious about him being anxious that it will make him even more anxious.

OK...I did not intend for it to come out so confusing.

How is your brother's son? OK?

hokie said:

I know exactly what you're saying.

My brother's son has people who work with him now so he's doing ok. I'm just glad he's getting the proper help and guidance he needed.

Whatever you do, don't let them put your son on anything that will "control or supress" his tics to the point that he becomes damned near catatonic....my son had some quirks...fixated on clocks, outbursts, etc....along with a tic or two...and after a myriad of doctors finally settled on him being ADHD, they had us put him on Risperidone, which is like SuperRitalin....found out later that its a anti-psychotic drug....and my beautiful, quirky son was a shell of himself....me and the wife made the decision that we'd rather him quirky than doped out....and it worked out for the best because soon after that, his ADHD symptoms lessened and he's one of the more well adjusted kids at his school....

...which, by the way, the docs said he'd never be able to handle regular schools or classes...and thats all he's ever been in and he's on point with graduation in May and anything else he wants to do afterwards....

reneGade20 said:

All of this was my first thoughts and worries. But I didnt want to say anything not having children myself. I assumed correctly that someone like you would say this. Glad I was right.

horatio said:

yup, renegade that is a heartbreaking story

there is NO way I'm even looking into medication

Whatever you do, don't let them put your son on anything that will "control or supress" his tics to the point that he becomes damned near catatonic....my son had some quirks...fixated on clocks, outbursts, etc....along with a tic or two...and after a myriad of doctors finally settled on him being ADHD, they had us put him on Risperidone, which is like SuperRitalin....found out later that its a anti-psychotic drug....and my beautiful, quirky son was a shell of himself....me and the wife made the decision that we'd rather him quirky than doped out....and it worked out for the best because soon after that, his ADHD symptoms lessened and he's one of the more well adjusted kids at his school....

...which, by the way, the docs said he'd never be able to handle regular schools or classes...and thats all he's ever been in and he's on point with graduation in May and anything else he wants to do afterwards....

My only experience with this sort of thing is a boy, now 26, I used to babysit when he was a grade school kid. He had Tourette syndrome, and it manifested in a couple ways: One tic was an occasional, very fleeting rolling of his eyes up into his head. It sounds much worse than it was -- it usually just looked like he was pissed at something. Also, his speech would be interjected with occasional, nearly inaudible grunts -- sorta like a grunt you might let out if something frustrated you.

To my knowledge, his parents -- one a biology professor; one a pediatric chief of staff at a nearby hospital -- refused to drug him up, and his tics became less and less pronounced as he got older. They also didn't screw up his head with notions he was "disabled" or "sick." Incidentally, the kid excelled all through school... and now holds a masters degree and owns an organic farm off in Oregon somewhere.

If your son is dealing with Tourette's, the tics he seems to be developing appear harmless enough, though they might be distressing him insofar as he doesn't yet understand them. They might be treated with simple therapies, support, education and reassurance that he's not "crazy." He'll be fine, and in all likelihood, his tics will stagnate or wane with time. You've no doubt read about more severe manifestations, like the uncontrolled foul-mouthed coprolalia, which can be a real burden for some, even into adulthood.

It's good to see you're on top of this. Keep us updated.

emm said:

So it actually felt itchy?

My only experience with this sort of thing is a boy, now 26, I used to babysit when he was a grade school kid. He had Tourette syndrome, and it manifested in a couple ways: One tic was an occasional, very fleeting rolling of his eyes up into his head. It sounds much worse than it was -- it usually just looked like he was pissed at something. Also, his speech would be interjected with occasional, nearly inaudible grunts -- sorta like a grunt you might let out if something frustrated you.

To my knowledge, his parents -- one a biology professor; one a pediatric chief of staff at a nearby hospital -- refused to drug him up, and his tics became less and less pronounced as he got older. They also didn't screw up his head with notions he was "disabled" or "sick." Incidentally, the kid excelled all through school... and now holds a masters degree and owns an organic farm off in Oregon somewhere.

If your son is dealing with Tourette's, the tics he seems to be developing appear harmless enough, though they might be distressing him insofar as he doesn't yet understand them. They might be treated with simple therapies, support, education and reassurance that he's not "crazy." He'll be fine, and in all likelihood, his tics will stagnate or wane with time. You've no doubt read about more severe manifestations, like the uncontrolled foul-mouthed coprolalia, which can be a real burden for some, even into adulthood. Thank goodness you're not dealing with that.

It's good to see you're on top of this. See the professionals and keep us updated.
[Edited 1/13/09 21:11pm]

No kids so I have nothing to add but a hug for all of you that have children.


And a big hug for the children with anxiety. I can relate to that one.

shanti0608 said:

ZombieKitten said:

Do you guys have this stuff over there? I would imagine that it is everywhere.
http://www.rescueremedy.co.uk/

shanti0608 said:

that stuff was very fashionable for a time!!
a few of my friends swear by it

No, but I have a dog with anxious fleas.

ZombieKitten said:

good honey the diary is a great thing 2. maybe its a nervous thing sometimes fearful of my anxiety coming on ( the way it manifests is not pretty) i rock back and forth and now in public sometimes. i never really noticed it ( publicly) until i was at uni for an info session and the girl next 2 me said that i was rocking and it was a sign of anxiety.

I took my kid to the pediatrician today, she spent an hour with us, going through his history. She'll be calling his teacher and school psychologist and basically making note of everything (very thorough!)

She doesn't think it's OCD, tourettes or ADHD, since the only symptom he has are the various tics, and he has no behavioural issues or problems at school academically or socially. She asked me to keep a tic diary - which I wish I'd done since he was born. Anyway, it has left me feeling very positive about everything. My son really liked her too.

I took my kid to the pediatrician today, she spent an hour with us, going through his history. She'll be calling his teacher and school psychologist and basically making note of everything (very thorough!)

She doesn't think it's OCD, tourettes or ADHD, since the only symptom he has are the various tics, and he has no behavioural issues or problems at school academically or socially. She asked me to keep a tic diary - which I wish I'd done since he was born. Anyway, it has left me feeling very positive about everything. My son really liked her too.

I took my kid to the pediatrician today, she spent an hour with us, going through his history. She'll be calling his teacher and school psychologist and basically making note of everything (very thorough!)

She doesn't think it's OCD, tourettes or ADHD, since the only symptom he has are the various tics, and he has no behavioural issues or problems at school academically or socially. She asked me to keep a tic diary - which I wish I'd done since he was born. Anyway, it has left me feeling very positive about everything. My son really liked her too.

I took my kid to the pediatrician today, she spent an hour with us, going through his history. She'll be calling his teacher and school psychologist and basically making note of everything (very thorough!)

She doesn't think it's OCD, tourettes or ADHD, since the only symptom he has are the various tics, and he has no behavioural issues or problems at school academically or socially. She asked me to keep a tic diary - which I wish I'd done since he was born. Anyway, it has left me feeling very positive about everything. My son really liked her too.