Facial tics or facial mimics is a condition wherein a patient experiences repeated and involuntary muscle movement of the eyes and face. Most common cases affect the muscles of the eyes and face, however, there are some cases wherein there is also spasmodic movements of the neck and shoulder areas.

The involuntary movements usually manifest themselves as nose wrinkling, eye squinting, mouth twitching and facial grimacing. In some cases, the movements are accompanied by sounds such as soft moaning and grunting. These sounds may be sounds created because of involuntary muscles and not because of pain since there are no significant records proving that facial tics are painful.

Facial tics are also seen, in some cases, in patients diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disease (ADHD). Also, it is a usual medical condition for children aged 5-9 years old. Whether they started out of habit or inability to control motor skills is a subject for debate. Also, it is more common in boys compared to girls. Stress is also pointed as one main reason for facial spasms. Some people who observe facial tics often generalize that the movements are part of behavior or voluntary by the patient when in fact it is not.

There are two kinds of facial tics: the transient tic disorder and the chronic motor tic disorder. The transient tic disorder is the simpler one. Why? Because, most often than not, it lasts only temporarily. Most transient tics are usually observed only for a few weeks and months. Because of its short-lived characteristic, there is no treatment. It can be spontaneously disabled after some time.

The second kind of facial tic, the chronic motor tic disorder, is a more complicated condition because it may last for many years and it is indefinite how long it will last. Although more difficult to endure and handle, this is very rare.

Some specialists give different opinions whether to treat facial tics and how. Some would say that reducing stress would create a big difference in disabling this condition. Others would also suggest hypnosis, while others may just let the condition fade over time.