On this page
How it can feel
- Repeated movements of face, neck, shoulders or limbs.
- Sounds, words or throat noises you did not plan to make.
- A build-up of urge for some people; sudden bursts for others.
- Tics that multiply when you are tired, observed or stressed.
Day to day
- School and workplace concentration can suffer.
- Social anxiety about being misread as deliberate disruption.
- Pain from repeated movements in neck or jaw.
Understanding this FND symptom
Functional tics reflect a control problem in movement and inhibitory networks. They are not a performance. Assessment distinguishes them from other tic disorders.
What can help
- Specialist assessment and a non-shaming explanation.
- Therapy approaches used for tic disorders where appropriate.
- Reducing sleep debt and sensory overload.
- Supportive environments that do not punish the symptom.
This is information, not a treatment plan. Personal care decisions belong with you and your clinicians.
FAQs
Did I cause my tics by watching videos?
Tics are multifactorial. Media exposure is sometimes discussed in research, but it does not mean you are faking or to blame.
About this guide & further reading
Written and published by FND Connect. This is general information for people living with FND and those supporting them. It does not diagnose a symptom or replace advice from your clinician.
- Neurosymptoms: Functional tics
- North Bristol NHS Trust: functional neurological symptoms
- Neurosymptoms: when new or different symptoms need reassessment
External resources provide further reading; their inclusion does not mean their authors have reviewed or endorsed this FND Connect guide. Page updated 3 October 2026.
Take this to your next conversation
Note what happens, how it affects your day and what you want to ask. An appointment pack can help you organise that conversation.