The Safety Net

Are you suffering from a Tic disorder or Tourette's Syndrome?

Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Tan Sheng Neng

MMED (Psych), MBBS, MCI, FAMS

A tic is a sudden, repetitive, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalisation involving discrete muscle groups. Tourette syndrome is generally diagnosed when at least one year has passed since the onset of the first tic, and the patient has experienced at least one phonic tic and at least two motor tics. Examples of tics include:

Blinking, wrinkling the nose or grimacing
Jerking or banging the head
Clicking the fingers
Coughing, grunting or sniffing

Get Started

What is a Tic?

A tic is a sudden, repetitive, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalisation involving discrete muscle groups. Some tics, such as abdominal tensing or toe crunching, can be invisible to others. Common motor and phonic tics are eye blinking and throat clearing.

Do you find yourself having little or no control over your body’s repeated physical movements, twitches, or vocal sounds? You might have a tic disorder.

A tic disorder is considered a serious medical condition that can get worse without proper treatment.

Get Started

Senior Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Tan Sheng Neng

Dr Tan was the Director of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service (2017-2019) at Changi General Hospital (CGH), Singapore. He was also an Assistant Director (Psych) of the Integrated Sleep Service at CGH (SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre), where he helped develop into a department in 2018.

Master of Medicine (Psychiatry)
Master of Clinical Investigation (MCI)
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (FAMS)

At present, besides the clinical work in his clinic and hospitals, Dr Tan also holds the following appointments:

Clinical Advisor to Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
Lecturer to Executive Counselling and Training Academy (ECTA)

Dr Tan has a specialised interest in neuropsychiatry. He treats patients with Sleep Disorders, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Brain trauma or injury, particularly from strokes.

Read Full Bio

Types of Tics

Simple motor tics

Simple motor tics usually involve just one muscle group, such as eye blinking, grimacing, clicking fingers, excessive blinking, or touching things and people unnecessarily

Complex motor tics

Complex motor tics usually involve more than one muscle group and might look like a series of movements. For example, touching a body part or another person repeatedly. In some cases, people with Tourette syndrome might have a tic that makes them harm themselves, such as banging their head

Simple vocal tics

Simple vocal tics can be throat clearing, sniffing, snorting or grunting

Complex vocal tics

Complex vocal tics can involve calling out, repeating or mimicking other people's words, or involuntary swearing

Do you find yourself having little or no control over your body’s repeated physical movements, twitches, or vocal sounds? You might have a tic disorder.

A tic disorder is considered a serious medical condition that can get worse without proper treatment.

Get Started

Types of Tic Disorders

Tic disorders are usually classified into motor, vocal, or Tourette's Syndrome. Motor and vocal tics can be short-lived (transient) or chronic. Motor and vocal tics are not on purpose (involuntary).

Transient Tic Disorders

A transient (provisional) tic disorder is when a person makes one or many brief, repeated movements or noises (tics) before the age of 18 and does not last for more than 12 months. These tics can be either motor or vocal, but not both.

Chronic Motor or Vocal Tic Disorders

Chronic tic disorder are tics that appear before age 18 and last for 1 year or more. These tics can be either motor or vocal, but not both.

Tourette's Syndrome

Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) is characterised by multiple tics, both motor and vocal, and is the most severe form of tic disorder. It is a chronic tic disorder

Tic Disorders Treatment Options

Medication

Neuroleptics (antipsychotics) are the primary medicines for tics. They work by altering the effects of the chemicals in the brain that help control body movements. Your specialist can help you determine which medication is best for you. It is essential to take all medications as prescribed. If side effects are experienced, it is important to consult your doctor.

Deep Brain Simulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an option for people with Tourette’s Syndrome whose tics do not respond to other treatments and impact someone’s quality of life.

DBS involves the implantation of a battery-operated device in the brain. Specific brain areas that control movement are stimulated with electrical impulses to reduce tics.

Tics do not always need to be treated if they’re presenting as mild, but treatments are available for severe tics that might interfere with your quality of life.

How are Tic Disorders diagnosed?

There is no laboratory test for tic disorders. Your specialist makes the diagnosis after obtaining a detailed history of your symptoms. A comprehensive clinical history can also be obtained from reliable sources, most often parents.