As many as one-fourth of all children suffer from the painful embarrassment of facial tics. This condition can most accurately be explained as a repetitive, continual spasm affecting the muscles of both the eyes and the face. The exact etiology is frequently unclear, even though research has demonstrated a strong link between stressful events and an increase in the evidence of symptoms.
Another explanation for the development of tics is a lack of essential vitamins or minerals, such as magnesium. In some cases, facial tics are symptomatic of nervous system disorders, such as Tourette syndrome, a disorder caused by a malfunction of the nervous system. Tourette syndrome is hypothesized to contain a genetic aspect as well.
Some examples of a facial tic include rapid eye movements or eye blinking, squinting, mouth or nose wrinkling, twitching, grunting, mouth twitches, facial grimacing, facial twitches, and throat clearing. The spasm often originates early in an individual’s physical development, and can last for only weeks, months, or even years. In some cases, the condition lasts even after a child reaches adulthood.
Facial tics can perpetuate and potentiate anxiety levels in a child already experiencing significant stress because of the tic itself. Other children can be extremely unkind, making fun of the child’s problem. Worse, teachers who lack understanding and are unable to help fellow classmates to empathize and assist the child in overcoming his condition can have a devastating effect on a child’s self image.
This issue, however, is not relevant only to the afflicted youth. Adults who must cope with a facial tic encounter significant challenges in managing this problem. These individuals often face overwhelming social difficulties. In some situations, a person can develop the ability to recognize the onset and master the impulse that initiates the facial tic. Even this, however, can become emotionally and physiologically draining. Low self-esteem is often a major issue with which these people wrestle. Often, these individuals struggle with low self-esteem.
Adults who obtain relief from the painful effects of facial grimaces and other tics are afforded with an opportunity for social rebirth. Their perception of themselves is altered, and they no longer fear to experience life at its fullest. Children who successfully this problem no longer are burdened by the agonizing stress that hinders their social lives, and encounter with joy instead of psychic pain.
Sometimes, medications, such as mildly sedating drugs, are prescribed to this condition. Although the medications may lessen the incidence of these symptoms, the medications themselves can often cause adverse effects. Because of this, many people have turned to alternative methods to help them in treating their problem.
Two treatment methods that have provided promising potential in helping clients to
successfully manage facial tics are hypnosis and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). These therapies take advantages of the strength of the individual’s unconscious mind to help them re-channel the repetitive behavior. Since these methods are concerned with the root of the difficulty by intervening in the unconscious where the problem originates, they offer significantly more hope for success than traditional therapy methods that only attempt to control
eye blinking, mouth twitches, squinting, facial grimacing, facial twitches, grunting, or other types of impulsive behavior.
Hypnotherapy permits the person being treated to enter a peaceful dreamlike state and accept suggestions that allow them to expel anxiety. Since tics are caused by built-up tension within a person’s body, release of the tension allows them to successfully control the impulse. After several sessions, the client should be able to possess the ability to cope with tension successfully.
Those therapists who use NLP assist the client to train his or her mind to utilize stressful thoughts as triggers for relaxing thoughts. Moreover, the individual learns to use an unrelated body part, like a toe, to expel the emotional energy that would in other circumstances be manifested by the facial tic. This technique allows individuals to manage tension without resorting to the humiliating behavior.
Another positive outcome of both these is that the person being treated does not experience adverse effects from medication type therapies. Indeed, both hypnosis and NLP are typically considered to be the primary treatment for individuals who
cope with tics, such as nose wrinkling, or throat clearing, because these treatment approaches do not have undesirable side effects. This relieves considerable anguish and stress for the affected person.
Summary: Facial tics are frequently socially damaging and can have harmful consequences. Boys are more likely to develop this difficulty, which can continue into adulthood; however girls may also have difficulties with tics. Although several treatment methods are available, hypnosis and NLP seem to be the safest treatments, because they do not result in negative side effects and are very effective.
Alan B. Densky, CH offers
facial tics hypnotherapy programs as well as a wide series of popular titles for all stress related symptoms. For enjoyment and learning visit his Free
hypnotherapy video library at his Neuro-VISION hypnosis website. http://www.neuro-vision.us/
