Dystonic tics in Tourette syndrome

Dystonic tics are sustained, twisting, or abnormal postures caused by prolonged muscle contractions.
title and description of article
1 experience has been shared about this tic type via the Tic Log.

On Oct 21 2025, a reader logged:

Tic type: Dystonic

Affecting: Multiple body regions

Where: Food venue

According to this article on PubMed, dystonic tics “are relatively slow and temporarily sustained twisting, pulling, or squeezing movements producing briefly maintained abnormal postures.”

From my lived experience...

From the PubMed description, the closest tics I have to these are neck related. I have an urge to make the ‘popping’ sound and to do this I move my head really slowly side to side. But it isn’t the normal movement you often see people do, it looks more forceful, frequent, and longer in duration. At least in my opinion it feels that way, maybe onlookers see it differently.

I have seen many people with Tourette online demonstrate these tics, they seem fairly popular and look to be painful and cause injury from time to time. They also seem pretty hard to mask, meaning those that have them have difficulty hiding them if they wanted to.

Did you know?

The 1973 movie The Exorcist has been speculated to actually involve Tourette syndrome. Many of the movements made throughout the movie could be considered dystonic tics.

Tic Log
On Oct 21, 2025, a reader experienced dystonic tics (sustained muscle contraction or abnormal postures) involving multiple regions whilst in a food venue
1 — Once a day or less 2 — A few times per day 3 — Several times throughout the day 4 — Most of the day 5 — Almost all day, every day

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