Tics and Bad Habits

Almost every person has a tic, a considered bad habit of head-scratching, nail-biting, hair-twisting or any other repetitive behavior. Most are un-noticeable and come and go before you can even recognize them as action, others are annoying and can be distracting to the actor or others nearby. We usually just accept our tendencies, but there is a science behind them, the "why" of what we do.

Photo: Resourceaholic

Experts call them "un-voluntary", as in once you are aware of the action you may stop at will, but as time passes on the tendency will spawn again. Diving into the science behind this, we find that most unwanted, repetitive actions come from the basal ganglia region of the brain, not fully understood but is known as the house of motor control. Knowing that, we know that it is more than just a tendency, but it is biological. The theory behind it is when a situation is frustrating or stressful, the basal ganglia picks a motor habit as a substitute. The substitute, or tic may also be associated with an award as a stress-reliever, satisfaction or distraction. The point it you do not need to consciously use energy towards it, it is a habit after all.

"Most repetitive behaviors, regardless of etiology begin in childhood. The immature brain, unable to recognize and process emotions as an adult does, resorts to motor activity to cope" (NYTimes). That is why we own the same old physical tics and habits we were introduced to as a child. The behaviors persist through time, we as people just learn how to have better control of it, or push it to the side. To say that it is an disease is an over-statement, but breaking the bounds of the behavior would take time of awareness and a substitute for the action. Gladly, many don't see their tics and as a bad tendency, only as it becomes so aware and irritating is when people seek for help, ironically demanding for a substitute as the erratic behavior is so automatic in their lives.

by Lucas W.

Works Cited:

Murphy, Kate. "Are You a Hair-Twirler, Nail-Biter or Knuckle-Cracker?" New York Times. 14 Sept 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/14/well/live/are-you-a-hair-twirler-nail-biter-or-knuckle-cracker.html?rref=collection%2Fbyline%2Fkate-murphy&action=click&contentCollection=undefined&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection