Living with an anxiety disorder can feel like being in a constant state of alert. When that’s compounded by anxiety tics, everyday situations may become even more stressful. Intense anxiety feels debilitating, but it’s one of the most common health conditions in the United States. According to the National Alliance, more than 40 million American adults have a diagnosed anxiety disorder, according to the National Alliance.
Anxiety tics are involuntary movements or sounds triggered by anxiety. Though you can’t fully control them, with the right support and treatment, their frequency and impact can be reduced.
At Oceans Healthcare, we understand how disruptive anxiety tics can be. Our compassionate care team is here to help you manage symptoms, regain confidence, and take meaningful steps toward relief.
What Are Anxiety Tics?
Anxiety tics are sudden, involuntary movements or vocalizations that occur most often during periods of high anxiety. They are one way that the body attempts to release pent-up energy from the fight-or-flight response. These tics are not always avoidable, but they can be managed with the right treatment.
There are two main types of tics:
- Motor tics: Involve physical movements (e.g., blinking shrugging).
- Vocal tics: Involve sounds or words (e.g., grunting, clearing the throat).
Those experiencing tics add another layer of anxiety. They can be embarrassing in social settings, making already stressful situations harder to manage. This creates a feedback look where the fear of having a tic increases anxiety–leading to more tics.
You may commonly hear them referred to as “nervous tics.” While anxiety tics are not a standalone diagnosis, they often appear as symptoms of underlying conditions like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder.
With the right techniques, you can reduce anxiety levels and the frequency of tics–giving you more control over your mind and body.
Examples of Common Tics for People with Anxiety
Anxiety tics vary from person to person. Just because someone else’s tics present in one way doesn’t mean yours will be the same. They can also change depending on the situation on your current stress level.
Here are common examples:
| Common Simple Motor Tics | Common Simple Verbal Tics |
|---|---|
| Definition: Simple motor tics occur when you move one muscle group or body part. | Definition: Simple vocal tics occur when you make a simple sound |
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| Common Complex Motor Tics | Common Complex Verbal Tics |
| Definition: During complex motor tics, you produce a series of movements using more than one muscle group or combine motor tics | Definition: With complex vocal tics, you use words or more complicated speech patterns, like sentences. |
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Not everyone with anxiety experiences tics. While research is ongoing, studies suggest that tics may be linked to irregular dopamine signaling in the basal ganglia, a brain region involved in motor control and stress response.
Common risk factors include:
- Chronic stress: Constant exposure to stress at work, school, home, or other environments you frequent often leads to the development of tics.
- Family history: Genetics may play a role, especially if tics were modeled or experienced in early life.
- Major life changes: Transitions like divorce, loss of a loved one, or job changes can intensify stress.
- Illness: Fatigue or illness can lower emotional regulation, making tics more likely in those with anxiety.
Other Conditions That Cause Tics
Anxiety isn’t the only reason someone might experience tics. In some cases, tics are part of a tic disorder, which is a diagnosable condition with specific clinical criteria.
Disorders aren’t the only conditions that are known to cause tics. In certain cases, tics could
Three of the most common tic disorders include:
- Transient tic disorder:
- Daily tics lasting more than a month but less than a year.
- Most common in children.
- Typically motor-based and temporary.
- Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder:
- Tics occur nearly every day for over a year.
- Either motor of vocal tics (not both)
- Usually diagnosed before age 18.
- Tourette’s syndrome:
- A neurological disorder involving both motor and vocal tics.
- Symptoms usually begin in adolescence
- Tics worsen with stress or strong emotions (not just anxiety)
How Long Do Anxiety Tics Typically Last?
The duration of anxiety tics varies. Some people experience tics only during acute anxiety episodes and find that they fade quickly once they’re calm. Others may have tics that persist throughout the day during prolonged periods of stress.
Several factors affect how long anxiety tics last, including:
- Severity of anxiety
- Co-occurring mental health conditions
- Coping skills and stress management strategies
In many cases, anxiety tics peak during childhood and adolescence and naturally decrease over time. But even for adults, proper stress management can significantly reduce how often they occur.
How To Reduce or Stop Anxiety Tics
The most effective way to reduce anxiety tics is to treat the underlying anxiety. For some people, therapy and/or medication leads to the complete disappearance of tics. For others, a combination of stress-reduction strategies and professional support helps manage them more effectively.
Helpful coping techniques include:
- Grounding exercises: Use your senses—name something you can see, hear, feel, smell, and taste—to stay present.
- Distraction: Listen to music, engage in a favorite activity, or call a friend to shift your focus.
- Movement: Physical activity like walking or stretching can help release pent-up energy and calm your nervous system.
Most importantly, learn to listen to your body. Anxiety tics are your body’s signal that it’s overwhelmed. Taking small steps toward rest, connection, and movement can make a real difference.
Get Treatment For Anxiety Tics
Anxiety tics can take your fear to a whole new level. Whenever you’re anxious, you have to worry that you’ll start having a physical reaction that you can’t control. Thankfully, you don’t have to live like that forever.
With the right treatment for anxiety, you’ll learn to manage your symptoms. In therapy, you’ll develop a better understanding of the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Medication may be able to improve the way neurotransmitters in your brain function, and coping strategies will empower you to manage your tics when they do happen.
Oceans Healthcare understands that anxiety tics can make life complicated. We are a collaborative team, ensuring you’ll have an entire team working to find the best treatment option for you. Call us now at 888-293-6899 to learn more.
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