Tics: Treatment
Mild tics generally do not require treatment unless they are socially embarrassing or interfere with your day-to-day activities.

Severe tics can be treated with medications that affect certain cells in the nervous system. The most frequently prescribed medications are the following alpha 2-adrenergic  agonists which are also used to treat ADHD:

• Clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres®)
• Guanfacine (Tenex®)

Additionally, certain neuroleptic medications (which are often used in the treatment of  psychosis), may be used in small doses to help reduce tic symptoms. These include:

• Risperidone (Risperdal®)
• Olanzapine  (Zyprexa®)
• Thiothixene (Navane®)
• Clozapine (Clozaril®)
• Quetiapine  (Seroquel®)
• Ziprasidone (Geodon®)
• Aaripiprazole (Abilify®)

Neuroleptic medications tend to work faster than the alpha 2-adrenergic agonists. Patients generally know within a matter of days or a few weeks whether or not these drugs are an effective treatment for their disorder.

Your neurologist may suggest Botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections as an option for controlling your symptoms. Studies have shown significant decreases in both tic frequency and urge to tic in patients who received this therapy.

Behavioral therapy is also a viable and often highly successful treatment for tic symptoms. Your doctor may suggest what is called “habit reversal” therapy. This process involves making you aware of the tic and training you to engage in a response that would be muscularly competing or incompatible with the tic.