Up to 25 percent of all children experience the embarrassing annoyance of facial tics. This problem can best be explained as a repeatedly occurring spasm that affects the muscles of both the eyes and the face. The exact etiology is often unknown, although research has demonstrated a significant connection between stressors and an increase in severity of symptoms.

An alternate explanation for the manifestation of tics is deficiencies in essential vitamins or minerals, such as magnesium. Some types of facial tics are symptomatic of nervous system disorders, such as Tourette syndrome, a health condition arising from a malfunction of the nervous system. This health condition is believed to have a hereditary facet as well.

A few examples of a facial tic are rapid eye movements or eye blinking, squinting, mouth or nose wrinkling, twitching, grunting, mouth twitches, facial grimacing, facial twitches, and throat clearing. The spasm often originates in the early developmental years, and can last for merely weeks, months, or even years. Sometimes, the condition persists into adulthood.

Facial tics can perpetuate and increase anxious disorders in a child already experiencing significant stress as a result of the tic itself. Kids often can be extremely unkind, making fun of the child’s problem. Further, teachers who do not understand and are unable to help other students to empathize and assist the child in conquering his difficulty can have a devastating impact on a child’s self image.

The problem, however, is not relevant only to the afflicted youth. Adults who are affected by a facial tic encounter significant challenges in managing this problem. These people frequently struggle with significant social difficulties. In some cases, a person can learn to recognize the onset and master the urge that causes the facial tic. Even this, however, can become mentally and physically exhausting. Low self-esteem is often a major issue with which these people wrestle. Often, these individuals struggle with low self-esteem.

Adults who obtain relief from the humiliating effects of facial grimaces and other tics can experience social rebirth. Their concept of themselves changes, and they no longer fear to experience the fullness of life. Youths who can overcome this disorder no longer are burdened by the acute emotional pain that cripples their social lives, and encounter with joy rather than emotional pain.

Sometimes, medications, such as mildly sedating drugs, are prescribed to this condition. Although the medications may lessen the frequency or severity of these symptoms, the medications themselves can often cause undesired side effects. For this reason, individuals frequently turn alternative treatments to assist them in treating their disorder.

Two treatment approaches that have offered exciting potential in helping clients to successfully manage facial tics are hypnotherapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). Both of these therapies capitalize on the strengths of the individual’s subconscious to assist them re-channel the spasm. Because these treatments address the root of the disorder by intervening in the unconscious where the problem originates, they are significantly more beneficial than traditional therapy methods that just attempt to control eye blinking, mouth twitches, squinting, facial grimacing, facial twitches, grunting, or other types of impulsive behavior.

Hypnosis helps the person being treated to reach a peaceful trancelike state and receive suggestions that assist them to release stress. Because tics are caused by suppressed tension within a person’s body, releasing this tension enables them to successfully control the tic. After several sessions, the client should be capable of demonstrate the ability to manage tension successfully.

Alternatively, therapists who use NLP assist the client to focus his or her mind to use thoughts that stress them as triggers for thoughts that will relax them. In addition, the person learns to use an unrelated body part, like a toe, to express the stress that would have previously been manifested by the facial tic. Through the use of this technique allows individuals to overcome tension without relying on the embarrassing behavior.

Another positive outcome of both these is that the client is not subjected to adverse effects from medication type therapies. Indeed, both hypnotherapy and NLP are often viewed as the treatment of choice for individuals who suffer from tics, such as nose wrinkling, or throat clearing, because these treatment approaches do not have unwanted side effects. This relieves significant pain and stress for the affected person.

Summary: Facial tics are often socially devastating and can result in harmful consequences. Boys are more likely to exhibit this disorder, which can persist into adult life; however female children may also experience difficulties with this. Although several treatment methods exist, hypnosis and NLP seem to be the safest therapies, because they do not result in negative side effects and are very effective.

Author's Bio: 

Alan B. Densky, CH offers a wide series of popular titles for all stress related symptoms, including facial twitch hypnosis CDs. For pleasure and learning visit his Free hypnotherapy article library at his Neuro-VISION hypnotherapy for self help website.