Researchers from MindTech and the University of Nottingham have published findings on the impact and management of pain in tic disorders.

Along with neurodiversity consultant Dr Seonaid Anderson, Dr Bethan Davies and Evangeline Taylor surveyed people with tics about their experience of pain.

Public contributors reviewed the survey and associated advertisements, prior to a global audience being invited to participate.

“I am delighted to be a co-author on this important paper on a significant, yet neglected subject in tic disorder research. As well as the tics leading to social stigma, they can also have physical and functional consequences which, for many patients, outrank the social impact by far. I am excited by the creation of the tic-pain cycle and find it to be particularly interesting and relevant since it underlines the need for adequate and timely treatment of tics, without letting a vicious circle build up. Finally, it is important to stress that pain does not only result from major, self-injurious tics but can also be the consequences of skeletal and muscular fatigue accumulating over the years. This paper is going to be of great interest to healthcare professionals and patients.” Dr Seonaid Anderson

The survey included not only the experience of pain, but how it is managed, access to treatment, and social impact and support. It highlighted the complex and varied lived experience of people with tic disorders, along with the stigma associated with the condition, including from healthcare professionals.

Previous studies have highlighted the difficulties people face in accessing specialist services in the UK, along with a lack of NICE guidelines to support clinicians in offering evidence-based treatment.

This latest paper highlights the under-researched topic of pain and pain management in tics and tic disorders, and the need for further research into the impact this has on quality of life.

Read the paper in full in Frontiers in Psychiatry.

Dr Seonaid Anderson is a chartered research psychologist and freelance neurodiversity consultant. Founder of Neuro-diverse.org and the Behavioural Therapy for Tics Institute (BTTI) https://www.neuro-diverse.org/btti