Behavioral problems and severity of tics.

This study examined the incidence of behavioral symptoms in youngsters with tic disorders. A total of 186 patients were studied using the Child Behavior Checklist and a Motor/Vocal Tic Severity Scale. The relationship between tic severity and the frequency of behavioral symptoms was found to be not simply linear, but influenced by the presence of patients without significant behavioral problems in spite of severe tics (resilient patients) and patients with very negative adjustment although their tic disorder was mild (vulnerable patients). Behavioral problems were not related to age. Patients who were receiving medication showed behavioral problems of different severity from those who were not receiving such agents; this result emphasizes the need for future studies to consider carefully the effects of medication.