Constant blinking, grimacing, constant throat clearing… there are many different ways in which nervous tics can manifest themselves. These can be defined as compulsive movements that the person repeats frequently and that are produced by the involuntary contraction of one or several muscles. The exact cause is not known exactly, but they have pointed out certain factors that can promote its development or aggravate it, such as, for example, stress or anxiety, genetics, nutritional deficiencies, eating disorders, abuse of some substances, among others. .
It is more common for them to manifest during puberty and to reduce over the years, although there are also cases in which the patient develops other different tics throughout his life. But is it possible to treat them and if so, how? In this Psychology-Online article, we explain in detail how to eliminate nervous tics and we talk about its causes and treatment.
Why nervous tics occur
If we have a nervous tic in our arm, neck, eye or anywhere in our body, it is normal for us to wonder what causes tics. Although in many cases the exact cause of the nervous tic is unknown, specialists point out that there are a series of factors that can cause themand among these are the ones we list below:
- Genetic factors: People who have immediate family members (parents or grandparents) who have had nervous tics are more likely to develop them.
- Nutritional deficiencies: The lack of certain nutrients in the body, such as magnesium, can cause problems in the central nervous system and give rise to these repetitive compulsive movements.
- Stress or anxiety: Going through episodes of extreme tension or nervousness can also lead to the existence of nervous tics.
- Coffee abusestimulant drinks or other substances such as drugs.
- Medication: Taking some medications can have side effects and cause nervous tics. An example of this would be drugs administered to treat allergies.
- Eating disorderslike bulimia.
Can nervous tics be cured?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions among those who suffer from them and although it is not something simple, it is It is possible to treat nervous tics and eliminate them successfully.
Tics usually appear when the person is in a specific situation that causes anxiety and to get rid of that tension, they develop a compulsive movement through which they channel the discomfort they feel at that moment. However, over time, the tic may stop being a coping strategy and become part of that person’s repertoire of habitual gestures.
To know how to eliminate nervous tics Ultimately, it is essential that a correct and exhaustive functional analysis of its appearance and development be carried out, that is, the conditions in which it appeared, the meaning and functions it has for the affected person, and at what time must be analyzed. manifests itself and how frequently.
Nervous tic: treatment
When nervous tics interfere with the normal development of the life of the affected person, it is advisable that they seek professional help and initiate appropriate psychological treatment. The therapist will evaluate all the patient’s symptoms, their general condition and the lifestyle they lead to offer them the best possible therapy. In many cases, the psychotherapy It is enough to eliminate nervous tics, but, in other more serious ones, it may be necessary to resort to medication.
How to remove a nervous tic
Whether it is to know how to remove a nervous tic in the nose, remove a tic from the eye or anywhere in the body, generally, psychotherapy usually consists of a cognitive behavioral therapyin which the specialist provides the patient with the following tools:
- : These will allow the patient to control anxiety and achieve deep relaxation that will make them have greater self-control and be able to avoid the emission of the tic.
- It will offer you the strategies and techniques necessary to achieve control nervous tics before issuing them.
- He will propose that you carry out a series of behaviors incompatible with the emission of the tic to prevent it from appearing.
- It will help you become aware of all those situations in your life that tend to cause you to tic.
- It will inform you of all the conveniences of issuing the tick and the consequences of it.
- Search for social support to overcome them, they may be family or friends who know that the person is being treated to eliminate the nervous tic.
In addition to the above, it is important that the affected person, once the nervous tics have been cured, lead a calm life and reduce or eliminate those activities that may cause great anxiety or discomfort.
Other tips to know how to remove a nervous tic
Next, we show other practical tips that can help control nervous tics more easily. However, at no time should they replace the guidelines indicated by a professional psychologist or psychiatrist.
Nervous tics: natural treatment
- To eliminate tics, a good technique is look in the mirror to be aware of the movements we make and when they become more intense. In this way, we will be aware of an automatic act, which will make it easier for us to confront it. Thus, we can also predict or intuit when we will make the gesture that we want to stop doing and try to avoid it with effort and even, in some cases, with techniques such as concentrating on other things.
- Great benefits can be obtained by doing different relaxation techniques that will help us, if not eliminate ourselves, then control them to a large extent.
- In the event that it is a problem such as a magnesium deficiency, then it will be solved by following medical guidelines to increase levels, either with food, medications, or both.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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