Five to twenty four percent of all school age children have had tics. The child may have facial tics or tics involving movement of the arms, legs, or other areas.
Tics appear to get worse with emotional stress and are absent while sleeping.
This antihyperactive drug does not cause the tic but precipitates it. Withdrawal of the drug, however, may not stop the tic once it has been initiated. There is no prevention for this condition. Clinicians recommend the family pay no attention to the tics at first, since unwanted attention may make the tics worse. If tics are severe enough to cause problems in school or occupational functioning, then behavioral techniques are recommended.