Real for a very few perhaps
Yes, there has been a documented, significant increase in presentations of tics and "tic-like" behaviors, particularly among adolescent girls, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some of these cases represent an increase in Tourette Syndrome (TS), a large portion of this surge is attributed to a related, but distinct condition known as Functional Tic-Like Behaviors (FTLB).
Tourettes Action
Tourettes Action
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Key Findings on the Increase in Tics:
The "TikTok" Effect: Researchers have linked the spike in cases to the increased use of social media during pandemic lockdowns, specifically TikTok and YouTube. Many adolescents reported watching influencers with Tourette Syndrome, and subsequently developed similar, severe, and rapid-onset symptoms.
A "Parallel Pandemic": Experts at eight different TS clinics globally reported a "pandemic of young people" (mostly aged 12–25) presenting with rapid-onset, complex, and severe motor and vocal tics.
Shifting Demographics: While typical Tourette Syndrome is more common in boys (approx. 4:1 ratio) and starts in early childhood, this recent increase is heavily concentrated in teenage girls with no prior history of tics.
What are Functional Tics? These are a type of functional neurological disorder (FND) rather than classical Tourette syndrome. They often start abruptly, are not as suppressible, and are generally accompanied by high levels of anxiety or depression.
The Role of Stress: The increase is believed to be triggered by a combination of pandemic-related social isolation, anxiety, and online "contagion".
Tourettes Action
Tourettes Action
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Differences Between Classic Tourette's and Functional Tics
Tourette Syndrome (Classic): Develops slowly (usually age 5-7), starts with simple facial/vocal tics, moves down the body (rostro-caudal), has a "waxing and waning" course, and is more common in males.
Functional Tic-Like Behaviors (Recent Increase): Explosive, sudden onset, more common in females (12-25 years), features complex movements (flailing, large movements), often worse in front of others, and not usually associated with a family history of tics.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
Archives of Disease in Childhood
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Current Status:
While the surge was alarming and overwhelmed specialist services, latest reports suggest that these functional tic cases are "now falling" in some areas, though they are still more common than in pre-pandemic times. It is important to note that these behaviors are real and distressing, not "faked," but they require different treatment approaches (e.g., CBT, treating anxiety) compared to conventional Tourette Syndrome
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