School stress linked to emergence of childhood tics

The transition to a new school year can trigger or exacerbate repetitive tics in children. These involuntary motor movements, such as blinking or shoulder shrugging, or vocalizations, like throat clearing, often become more visible due to the stress, anxiety, and fatigue associated with new routines, academic pressure, and social adjustments.

Experts emphasize that stress does not necessarily create tics from nothing, but rather acts as a catalyst that brings pre-existing sensitivities to the surface. It is important for parents to distinguish between repetitive gestures and true tics, and to understand that the presence of tics does not automatically indicate Tourette syndrome.

To support children, specialists recommend that parents maintain a calm reaction and avoid telling the child to ‘stop’ the behavior, as this can increase pressure. While some tics are temporary and disappear as the child adapts, persistent symptoms may require medical consultation.