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Tic vs Stim

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Padium
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03 Feb 2009, 12:21 am

What is the difference between a tic and a stim, as I know there is one?



pensieve
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03 Feb 2009, 12:50 am

Hope this helps

Quote:
Table 7.2 Characteristics of the movement disorders of Tourette Syndrome (tics) versus autism (stereotypies)

T = tics
S = stereotypies

T: Universal
S: Frequent, not universal

T: School-age onset
S: Toddler onset

T: May remit for months
S: More persistent; may become miniaturized with age

T: Vary a great deal over time
S: Less variable

T: Preceded by urge
S: May be preceded by urge

T: Suppressible for a time
S: Suppressible for a time

T: Sudden, rapid, darting
S: Not as abrupt or rapid

T: Brief
S: Longer

T: Repetitive, irregular
S: Repetitive, rhythmical

T: Asymmetrical
S: Often (not always) bilateral or generalized (e.g., flapping, jumping, pacing)

T: May be small (simple tics) and inconspicuous, or bizarre, even grotesque (complex tics)
S: May be simple or complex. More gesture-like or manneristic

T: Frequency and severity unrelated to IQ
S: More frequent in individuals with low IQ

T: Self-injury uncommon, "accidental," e.g., by repetitive poking
S: Self-injury relatively frequent, "intended"; e.g., biting, picking, head banging, slapping. Associated with low IQ and aggressiveness in some but not all individuals.

T: Not deliberately aggressive; sudden compulsive touching or approaching others.
S: Aggression such as pinching or hitting frequent

T: Respiratory tics, sudden vocalizations, coprolalia
S: Humming, singing, muttering

T: Worsened by anxiety
S: Worsened by anxiety, idleness

T: Lessened by activity, concentration
S: Lessened by activity, concentration

T: May persist in sleep
S: Not present in sleep

http://www.autism-pdd.net/testdump/test17783.htm

I don't agree with it all, but I think tics happen more suddenly. I'm not sure if I tic but I'm growining even more concerned when I hear that stuutering may be a tic. I also blink my eyes reptitvely.
I'm not sure if once you realise you tic you can stop, like I can when I noticed that I stim.



garyww
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03 Feb 2009, 2:41 am

I have a couple friends with some pretty bad tics and one of them can usually tell just a few milliseconds before he will tic and can sometimes lessen it by what he calls a counter tic. The other person has no control over his at all or any clue when they might occur but stress is most assuredly one of the largest contributors in most cases. We've got some pretty good tic experts here who should post some more stuff in the morning.


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Jellybean
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03 Feb 2009, 3:48 am

As someone with both AS and Tourettes, I know the difference. A tic is a sudden movement or noise which is not got any purpose whatsoever. It is completely uncontrollable. A stim on the other hand is done to stimulate the senses (hence the term 'stim') and although this may be done without much thought, it is not involuntary and is done for a purpose.

Don't quote me on that though, I am not a professional... :(


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rdos
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03 Feb 2009, 4:55 am

I think apart from some tics that are probably physiological in nature (eye blinkning, sniffing, snorting, coughing and clearing throat), there is absolutely no difference between tics and stims. The ones that are physiological in nature probably often have a real cause (eye-problems, a too narrow nose, or throat problems). Such a cause should be treated not as a DSM-disorder, but for what it looks like, a physiological problem. I have throat problems myself, and "tics" related to this. I also know I didn't have these "tics" as a child.