{"id":6709,"date":"2026-06-10T17:46:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/?p=6709"},"modified":"2026-06-10T17:48:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:48:14","slug":"como-controlar-tiques-faciais-guia-pratico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/como-controlar-tiques-faciais-guia-pratico\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Control Facial Tics \u2013 A Practical Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6709\" class=\"elementor elementor-6709\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e05699a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e05699a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5fa0a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e5fa0a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Facial tics are involuntary muscle movements caused by malfunctions in the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">motor control circuits in the brain<\/span> \u2014 and in most cases, they can be managed using effective techniques and therapies.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d797148 elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"d797148\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-87d2c88 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/2026\/06\/10\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewbox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>10 June 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cdd4015 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2cdd4015\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6925\" src=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/tique-facial-sindrome-tourette.webp\" alt=\"Pessoa jovem com tique facial involunt\u00e1rio, caracterizado pelo piscar intenso de um olho e contra\u00e7\u00e3o dos m\u00fasculos da face. Exemplo de um tipo de tique facial associado \u00e0 s\u00edndrome de tourette.\" width=\"2528\" height=\"1696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/tique-facial-sindrome-tourette.webp 2528w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/tique-facial-sindrome-tourette-300x201.webp 300w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/tique-facial-sindrome-tourette-1024x687.webp 1024w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/tique-facial-sindrome-tourette-768x515.webp 768w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/tique-facial-sindrome-tourette-1536x1030.webp 1536w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/tique-facial-sindrome-tourette-2048x1374.webp 2048w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/tique-facial-sindrome-tourette-18x12.webp 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2528px) 100vw, 2528px\" \/><\/p><h2>Facial Tics in Adults: More Common Than You Might Think<\/h2><p>Blinking repeatedly. Wrinkling your nose. Unintentionally pulling up one corner of your mouth. The <strong>facial tics<\/strong> are, of all <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/tiques-motores-e-vocais-o-que-significam\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">types of tics<\/span><\/a><\/strong> engines, <strong>those that have the greatest impact on self-esteem<\/strong>, and they are more common than you might think.<\/p><p><strong>1 in 5 school-age children have some form of tic<\/strong> \u2014 and facial tics are the most common. In most cases, they resolve themselves. When they persist into adulthood, they may be isolated tics, a sign of a chronic disorder or, in more complex cases, of <a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/sindrome-de-tourette\/\"><strong>Tourette's Syndrome<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 which involves multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic.<\/p><p><strong>The focus is on<\/strong>: The<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\u00a0What, specifically, can be done to control them?<\/span><\/p><h2>The Impulse That Precedes the Tic \u2014 and Why It\u2019s Beneficial for Treatment<\/h2><p>Before you can understand how to control facial tics, you need to be aware of a phenomenon that most people experience but few can put a name to: the <strong>premonitory impulse<\/strong>.<\/p><p>This is a <strong>growing tension<\/strong> \u2014 located in the affected area of the face \u2014 which precedes the tic and is momentarily relieved by movement.<\/p><p>It is comparable to <strong>need<\/strong> blinking when your eyes are dry:<\/p><ul><li>uncomfortable<\/li><li>urgent<\/li><li>relieved by the act itself<\/li><\/ul><p>If there is a moment <em>before<\/em> of the ticket, <strong>there is a window of opportunity<\/strong> \u2014 and that\u2019s where the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/neuropsicologia\/\">behavioural therapies<\/a><\/strong> the most effective ones operate.<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-7021\" src=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/terapia-reversao-habitos-controlo-tiques-faciais.webp\" alt=\"Sess\u00e3o de Terapia de Revers\u00e3o de H\u00e1bitos (TRH \/ HRT) para controlar tiques faciais, com neuropsic\u00f3loga a orientar um paciente com S\u00edndrome de Tourette na pr\u00e1tica de t\u00e9cnicas comportamentais baseadas em evid\u00eancia cient\u00edfica.\" width=\"800\" height=\"597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/terapia-reversao-habitos-controlo-tiques-faciais.webp 2400w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/terapia-reversao-habitos-controlo-tiques-faciais-300x224.webp 300w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/terapia-reversao-habitos-controlo-tiques-faciais-1024x765.webp 1024w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/terapia-reversao-habitos-controlo-tiques-faciais-768x573.webp 768w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/terapia-reversao-habitos-controlo-tiques-faciais-1536x1147.webp 1536w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/terapia-reversao-habitos-controlo-tiques-faciais-2048x1529.webp 2048w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/terapia-reversao-habitos-controlo-tiques-faciais-16x12.webp 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p><h2>Habit Reversal Training: The Approach with the Most Scientific Evidence<\/h2><p>O <strong>Habit Reversal Training (HRT)<\/strong> It is considered the first-line behavioural treatment for tics by the leading international clinical guidelines.<\/p><p>A <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21549664\/\">a meta-analysis comprising 18 studies and 575 participants<\/a><\/strong> has proven its effectiveness \u2014 with significant reductions in <strong>frequency<\/strong> e <strong>intensity<\/strong> ticks in children and adults.<\/p><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>The principle<\/strong><\/span>: rather than giving in to the premonitory impulse, the person learns to replace it with a <strong>concurrent behaviour<\/strong>: a gesture <strong>volunteer<\/strong> e <strong>incompatible<\/strong> (which does not allow simultaneous ticketing).<\/p><p>With repetition, the brain <strong>incorporates<\/strong> this new standard. It is the <strong>neuroplasticity<\/strong> of the brain used for therapeutic purposes.<\/p><h3>How it works in practice<\/h3><p>The process consists of three steps:<\/p><ol><li><strong>Recognising the impulse:<\/strong> identify the tension that precedes the twitch, before the movement occurs.<\/li><li><strong>Execute the concurrent behaviour:<\/strong> a movement that uses the same muscles in a controlled way. Those who blink involuntarily can learn to apply gentle pressure to their eyelids; those who wrinkle their nose can redirect this into slow nasal breathing.<\/li><li><strong>Hold for 1 minute:<\/strong> enough time for the impulse to fade away before the tic manifests itself.<\/li><\/ol><p><strong>The results tend to be long-lasting and superior to most pharmacological approaches in the long term.<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"nota-importante\">O <strong>TRH<\/strong> should have the <strong>supervision by a trained professional<\/strong>, at least in the early stages. Attempting to implement it without guidance can lead to <strong>unnecessary frustrations<\/strong> \u2014 and to abandon an approach that, with the right support, works.<\/div><h2>Stress Management: It\u2019s Not Enough to Know It Gets Worse \u2014 You Have to Take Action<\/h2><p>O <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/stress-e-fadiga-mental\/\">stress<\/a><\/strong><\/span> doesn't cause tics, but <strong>amplifies them<\/strong>.<\/p><p>During periods of <strong>greater emotional strain<\/strong>, the brain circuits involved become more unstable \u2014 <strong>and the tics become more frequent<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Here are some key points on managing stress:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Diaphragmatic breathing:<\/strong> Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, allowing your stomach to expand, then breathe out through your mouth for 6 seconds. Ten minutes a day reduces the activity of the autonomic nervous system \u2014 the same system that exacerbates tics.<\/li><li><strong>Mindfulness:<\/strong> practices of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pt.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aten%C3%A7%C3%A3o_plena\">mindfulness<\/a><\/strong>, without distractions, even if they are short (5 to 10 minutes), reduce stress reactivity and improve the ability to recognise the warning signs before acting.<\/li><li><strong>Good quality sleep:<\/strong> Sleep deprivation directly increases the frequency of tics. Aiming for 6 to 9 hours of sleep per night is also a management strategy.<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"dica-valiosa\">For two weeks, make a note in a notebook of the time of day when your tics were most severe, your stress level (1 to 10) and how many hours of sleep you had the previous night. This diary will help you identify your personal patterns \u2014 and provides valuable information for your appointments.<\/div><h2>Medical and Neurotherapeutic Options: What\u2019s Available and Who They\u2019re For<\/h2><p>When facial tics are <strong>persistent<\/strong> or <strong>cause suffering<\/strong>, the options are more extensive than most people realise.<\/p><h3>Botulinum toxin (Botox)<\/h3><p>A <strong>injection into the affected muscle<\/strong> blocks the nerve impulses responsible for involuntary movement, with an effect lasting between <strong>3 to 6 months<\/strong>. A good option for facial tics, which is well tolerated when administered by an experienced practitioner.<\/p><h3>Neurofeedback<\/h3><p>O <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/neurofeedback-e-qeeg\/\"><strong>Neurofeedback<\/strong><\/a><\/span> is a non-invasive technique in which <strong>the brain learns to regulate its own electrical activity in real time<\/strong>. It tackles the root of the problem and is highly effective, including in <strong>difficult cases<\/strong> compared with conventional treatment.<\/p><h3>Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)<\/h3><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/estimulacao-magnetica-transcraniana\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>TMS<\/strong><\/span><\/a> acts on the relevant cortical circuits, with <strong>documented benefits in terms of the frequency and intensity of tics<\/strong>, without the adverse effects of long-term medication.<\/p><h2>When Facial Tics Require Specialist Assessment<\/h2><p>If the ticks:<\/p><ul><li><strong> have persisted for over a year,<\/strong><\/li><li><strong> cause pain,<\/strong><\/li><li><strong> restrict one\u2019s social life, or<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>are associated with severe anxiety<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">So a consultation is essential<\/span>. A <strong>early intervention<\/strong>, ... when done at the right time, it makes a real difference to the results.<\/p><div class=\"pontos-chave\"><h2>\ud83e\udde0 Key Points to Retain<\/h2><ul><li>The premonitory urge \u2014 the tension that precedes the tic \u2014 is the window of opportunity in which behavioural therapies take effect.<\/li><li>Habit Reversal Training (HRT) is the approach with the strongest scientific evidence: it teaches the brain to replace the tic with a voluntary competing behaviour.<\/li><li>Stress exacerbates tics \u2014 diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness and quality sleep are complementary strategies that make a real difference.<\/li><li>Botulinum toxin is an effective yet underused treatment option for focal facial tics, subject to medical advice.<\/li><li>Neurofeedback has been shown to be effective even in cases that are resistant to conventional treatment.<\/li><li>Tics that persist for more than a year or affect quality of life warrant specialist assessment.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">FAQs \u2013 Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2><h3>Can the Habit Reversal Programme be done at home?<\/h3><p>To some extent. The basic principles can be learnt independently, but the best results are achieved with professional guidance in the early stages \u2014 a therapist helps you choose the right competing behaviour for each tic. Guidance is particularly important at the outset to avoid frustration with the method, which is effective.<\/p><h3>Does botulinum toxin for facial tics have any side effects?<\/h3><p>When administered by an experienced practitioner, the effects are mild and temporary \u2014 such as slight muscle weakness in the treated area. The effects last for 3 to 6 months and the treatment can be repeated.<\/p><h3>Are facial tics in adults different from those in children?<\/h3><p>The neurobiology is the same. In children, many transient tics disappear during adolescence. In adults, those that persist tend to be more chronic \u2014 but they still respond well to treatment.<\/p><h3>How long does it take for neurofeedback to have an effect on tics?<\/h3><p>The first results typically become apparent between the 8th and 12th session. Full treatment programmes involve between 20 and 40 sessions, with the benefits becoming more established over time.<\/p><h3>Can facial tics return once they have been brought under control?<\/h3><p>They can, particularly during periods of high stress or sleep deprivation. Stress management and good sleep habits are part of the long-term management plan.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Os tiques faciais s\u00e3o movimentos musculares involunt\u00e1rios causados por falhas nos circuitos cerebrais de controlo motor \u2014 e na maioria dos casos, podem ser controlados atrav\u00e9s de t\u00e9cnicas e terapias eficazes. Tiques Faciais em Adultos: Mais Comuns do Que Imagina Piscar os olhos repetidamente. Franzir o nariz. Contrair um canto da boca sem querer. Os [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[45],"class_list":["post-6709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-geral","tag-novo-layout"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6709","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6709"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6709\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7037,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6709\/revisions\/7037"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6709"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6709"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}