A facial tic is involuntary twitching of muscles in the face. Irritation of the facial nerve may cause a spasm of the muscles it supplies. A reflex spasm may also result from pain in the face or teeth. Tics resemble these types of true spasms, but some doctors consider them more emotional in origin. A common tic is a twitching of the corner of the eye or mouth. Tics often start around age 6 and resolve as the child matures. They may develop when a child goes through a period of anxiety. There have been cases caused by certain drugs or head trauma. Tics are about three times more common in boys than in girls. They may run in families.

The muscle twitching in tics repeats in the same pattern. Tics have no apparent purpose. They are not voluntary, but the person may be able to control them for short periods. Repressing them usually makes the person anxious until he or she develops another tic. They usually cease during sleep. They become more pronounced with tension and emotional strain. Some tics start as true spasms. For example, a person may develop an eyelid spasm from a scratched eye. After the eye has healed, the habit of twitching may remain. Some common facial tics include:
* eye blinking,
* neck jerking,
* sticking out or biting tongue, or
* facial grimaces or gestures.

Most tics are not harmful, but sometimes they may indicate a more serious problem. Tourette's Syndrome is a rare condition that begins in childhood with tics. One may see blinking, grimaces, shrugging, and arm movements. In Tourette's these tics get worse and are joined by vocal tics. There may be grunting, sniffing, or barking noises. The person is prone to sudden and loud swearing. The symptoms come and go throughout adult life. The cause is not understood.

Special techniques to change behaviors may help treat tic disorders. Counseling may uncover emotional causes and help deal with problems caused by tics. Minor tics may respond to mild sedatives. Doctors usually treat Tourette's syndrome with drugs. These drugs often have side effects that the doctor must balance with the control of the tics.

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