However, in some cases they are frequent and severe, and can affect many areas of a child's life. Transient tics go away by themselves. Some may get worse with anxiety, tiredness, and some medications. Some tics do not go away. Chronic tics affect less than one percent of children and may be related to a special, more unusual tic disorder called Tourette's Disorder.
Some tics disappear by early adulthood, and some continue.
Children with Tourette's Disorder may have problems with attention, concentration, and may have learning disabilities as well. They may act impulsively, or develop obsessions and compulsions. Sometimes people with Tourette's Disorder may blurt out obscene words, insult others, or make obscene gestures or movements. They cannot control these sounds and movements and should not be blamed for them. Punishment by parents, teasing by classmates, and scolding by teachers will not help the child to control the tics but will hurt the child's self-esteem.