Adult Tic Disorders on the Rise in South Korea: Causes, Challenges, and New Treatment Approaches

[mediK / HEALTH IN NEWS] [Physician's Column] By Chung-gu No, Director of Brain Medical Center

In recent years, South Korea has seen a steady increase in adults seeking medical attention for tic disorders, conditions often mistaken for simple habits. Symptoms such as frequent eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, throat clearing, or lip tremors may seem harmless, but they can indicate a chronic neurological disorder linked to central nervous system dysfunction. Early recognition and proper management are critical to addressing these disorders effectively.

Though commonly associated with childhood, tic disorders can persist into adulthood or even emerge later in life due to acquired factors. In adults, tics present as repetitive, involuntary movements or vocal sounds—such as persistent blinking, head nodding, coughing noises, or lip tremors. Mistaking these tics for simple habits or fatigue can delay treatment and contribute to secondary problems such as workplace stress, social withdrawal, and lowered self-esteem.

Adult tic disorders are not just behavioral quirks; they arise from neurological abnormalities, including disrupted connectivity between the basal ganglia and frontal lobes, excessive neurotransmitter activity, and heightened sensory sensitivity. These conditions also reflect a broader trend in which the modern brain, overstimulated by stress and sensory input, struggles to maintain proper self-regulation. When the brain’s excitatory and inhibitory systems become imbalanced, tic symptoms frequently intensify.



Environmental factors such as chronic stress, sleep deprivation, stimulant-rich diets, and heightened sympathetic nervous system activity can worsen this imbalance. Conventional treatments often involve antidopaminergic medications or neuroleptics, but prolonged use can lead to side effects such as drowsiness, impaired concentration, and emotional blunting, which make long-term adherence difficult for many patients. As a result, there is growing interest in therapies that focus on restoring neurological function rather than solely suppressing symptoms.

Because adult tic disorders frequently involve entrenched neural circuits, short-term pharmacological treatments may be less effective than non-invasive, structured neuromodulation approaches. Training the brain to relax and flexibly regulate sensory and motor responses offers a more fundamental solution.

Lifestyle changes are equally important, since adult tics commonly worsen with stress, fatigue, excessive caffeine intake, or inadequate sleep. Helpful strategies include maintaining consistent sleep routines, limiting stimulants, reducing prolonged screen exposure, and practicing relaxation activities such as deep breathing, light exercise, or meditation. These measures can help stabilize the nervous system and support frontal lobe executive function.

While tic disorders may seem minor to outsiders, they can impose significant psychological distress and social limitations on those affected. However, societal biases—such as viewing adult tics as a sign of weak self-control—persist and often discourage patients from seeking or continuing treatment. Many adults with tic disorders experience shame or embarrassment over their uncontrollable behaviors, leading some to isolate themselves socially.

To address this, creating a nonjudgmental diagnostic environment and providing strong emotional support are essential to help patients acknowledge their symptoms and seek treatment with confidence.

Kim Kuk Ju, medi·K TEAM press@themedik.kr

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