What causes facial tics in adults?

You know that one guy at the office who always screws up his face into a grimace whenever he’s concentrating too hard? Or maybe it’s your friend who can’t seem to stop scrunching her nose every few seconds when she’s nervous. We all have those people in our lives who make us wonder what could possibly be causing their strange facial tics.

Turns out, facial tics are more common than you might think–and they’re not necessarily something to worry about! Whether it’s an occasional twitch or a consistent tic, there are many different things that can cause these funny faces. Keep reading for some of the top causes and how they might relate to the weird facial expressions you’ve been seeing.

Genetics: Is Your Family To Blame?

If someone in your family has a history of ticks then you’re going to want to pay close attention. Some people researching Tourette Syndrome have warned loved ones with OCD and ADHD symptoms may develop involuntary ticks over time as part of comorbidities associated with their disorders.

People tend to look like their parents because genetics play a BIG role in determining physical traits such as hair color, eye color, height – even personality traits!

Now research points stronger evidence towards genetic markers related specifically related around hypertension and other heart complications rather than lifestyle factors such as employment / stress levels or stimulus exposure.

It’s important though; That doesn’t mean everyone is set on this until proven otherwise below we’ll discuss environmental influences including possible substance abuse which temporarily alter brain functions increasing likelihood of developing “ticks.”

Bottom line?
Similar environment & upbringing (<- Key point 🔑 ) does expose individuals from similar backgrounds to shared environmental risks which likely amplifies predisposition for these types (tics/twiches) maladies.

Medication Side Effects: Are You Taking Something New/Different?

Taking medication for anxiety, depression or even bipolar disorder can come with some pretty gnarly side effects. Although a bit muddled it seems the cerebellum responds in complicated ways through continuous interaction between brain structures during activation of specific neurotransmitters which, essentially cycles back to changing feedback mechanisms that concentrate more energy expenditure on target areas such as face muscles.

The result is unintentional facial tick occurrence paired with other somatic responses such as hypnic jerks (I figured you deserved an extra-long term 😉) – all thanks too much beta-blocker in your system!

Don’t fret though, these tics are usually temporary and will go away after stopping the particular med giving you grief. Talk to your doctor if symptoms persist longer than one week at max.

Stress & Anxiety: Our Old Frenemies

We’ve all been there – experiencing everything from anxiety jitters before a big test / speech / life event & anger flare ups when irritated enough; but did you know that prolonged exposure over time can lead to development of an actual medical condition?

Stress related disorders such as OCD stem largely from altered cortisol levels; sleep duration/quality being main culprits often increasing susceptibility to undesired habit formation connected neurally via striatium pathway.

Excessive stress triggers key brain regions including prefrontal cortex and amygdala area essential in regulating mood which can transfer this excitability further down the limbic neuroaxis eventually resulting emotional distress causing either ticks or barely noticeable flinches in our faces.

Studies have shown that people who live high-pressure lives where constant stimulation/worry signs their existence are also more likely be twitchy/ticky.

Brain Injury

It’s not something anyone wants to think about happening–but unfortunately, brain injuries happen every day around the world due mainly traumatic extracranial forces however certain surgeries aimed at correction/deep-brain simulation DBS (topic covered later on) have proved highly successful in treating certain tic disorders such as Tourette’s Syndrome.

When damage occurs to certain parts of the brain, it can cause involuntary tics or spasms. In severe cases these symptoms may be indicative of a more serious underlying issue and warrant further testing/treatment by medical professionals.

Caffeine Overdose: The Truth About Pounding Too Much Joe

We all love caffeine because let’s face it – sometimes we need that extra boost to keep from falling asleep at our desks mid-day, but over-indulgence should not become habit!

Many people don’t realize that too much coffee/chocolate/caffeinated drinks/etc., especially later in the day, can lead to some surprising negative effects on sleep quality & nervous system function risking extra impulse signals misfiring; setting off physical manifestations such as involuntarily oculopharyngeal tick (winking one eye) start showing.. so you might want to put down that third grande dark roast if you notice yourself starting to make strange faces!

In particular early signs across multiple studies show results orienting around damaged/dysfunction connecting basal ganglia-thalamus circuit which is important in filtering out excess unwanted movement noise streamlining optimized feedback only necessary movements.

Talking & Listening To Yourself A Little More Than Normal

I’m totally guilty of this – for me it usually happens when I’m reading/signing something really complicated like legalese 😑 or going back through my work with a fine-toothed comb trying find important errors before publishing/presenting my findings verbally or virtually via teams chat / Zoom call setup etc… All things which are far easier adapted than many of us previously thought possible given recent societal changes worldwide-> even our dogs will most likely experience increased ‘facial paralysis’.

While talking/to oneself isn’t necessarily linked directly with ticks any tendency towards repetition fuels compulsion generating sensation social anxiousness instilling jitteriness creeping over the upper body.

So while there aren’t any sneaky creatures slowly making their way up and down your spine, subconsciously critiquing each and every move you’re making (at least we hope not), talking to yourself too much could be increasingly stressful ultimately putting extra pressure on whole-body control meter -> sudden jolts in movements where facial grimaces come into picture.

Change You Can Believe In: Big Life Changes & Disruptive Habits

Making lifestyle changes can lead to a host of different struggles when trying to change established routines/disrupt comfort zones due mainly uprounted sedentary schedules. Most work-from-home folk have experienced this in some way during pandemic life because it’s the individual being primarily responsible for structuring themselves no matter day-to-day scheduling constraints.

Unfortunately, an often-overlooked result is tendency towards tic cycles developing/accelerating especially if combined with other underlying stress triggers already present; basically exponentiating both effects inclusive reinforcing tendencies like jaw clenching/agitated/thought-running behaviors leaving individuals nowhere else to go but divert energy towards strange frown-like facial tics which creep up seemingly without warning!

Regular healthy exercise produces moderate levels neurotransmitters serotonin,dopamine regulating athletic beauty better helping us cope with various situational demands including unbalance due abrupt changes alone reducing occurrences associated stretch across given diagnostic category normally encompassing all types movement disorders further signifying normal patient who didn’t occur ticks overnight from simple over-stimulation through severe abnormalities along basal ganglia striatum circuits.

If you’ve been dealing with weird facial tics/changes related specifically within tongue/smiling range—you know these are neither pleasant nor something that most would casually discuss.It can be really tempting just let those silly expressions flow naturally out into world willy-nilly.. but here’s how you can manage:

  • Try to Relax: It might be easier said than done, but just relax as much as you can! Getting enough sleep and taking deep breaths throughout day (particularly when sitting) help calm down your nervous system, potentially reducing stress/associated ticks which may follow from that internalizing

  • Consider Medication: If it’s more serious issue blocking individual physically/socially consider receiving professional medical advice. Doctors will analyze specific needs with further diagnostic testing relevant medication alongside behavioral strategies available integral in alleviating involuntary tics.tips like planning not placing yourself outside comfort zone also come handy integrated plans better suited for treating individuals under various environmental conditions

  • Meditation & Deep Breathing: Can go a long way helping regulate mood associated spikes coupled higher self-awareness particularly useful when facilitating early stages treatment whereby individuals learning sustain attention despite oscillations inside overall level understanding/goal setting required shifting momentum breaks cycle.

If you find yourself dealing with facial tics on the regular, don’t panic – there are plenty of ways to manage them effectively without too much hassle or embarrassment. Remember, everyone’s bodies do funny things sometimes!

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