Functional tics, the pandemic and social media

Abstract

Functional tics form a part, albeit a small proportion, of the wider spectrum of functional neurological disorders (FND). In this review, we focus on the recent increase in presentations of functional tics since the COVID-19 pandemic. A functional tic disorder is often characterised by rapid onset of complex motor and vocal tics predominantly in adolescent females, distinct from Tourette’s syndrome which typically begins in younger boys. Rapid onset of severe tics merging into other types of functional neurological disorders, marked coprolalia, self-injury from tics and school absenteeism, are additional features of functional tics, however, the disorders can co-exist. There has been a lot of focus on social media as an explanation for the rise in cases, although the data suggest that this is just one of many potential factors, with the pandemic itself and its effect on teenage lives being the most likely culprit.