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 Ch ild Behavior Checklist and a Motor/Vocal Tic Severity Scale. The relat ionship between tic severity and the frequency of behavioral symptoms was found to be not simply linear, but influenced by the presence of p atients without significant behavioral problems in spite of severe tie s (resilient patients) and patients with very negative adjustment alth ough their tic disorder was mild (vulnerable patients). Behavioral pro blems were not related to age. Patients who were receiving medication showed behavioral problems of different severity from those who were n ot receiving such agents; this result emphasizes the need for future s tudies to consider carefully the effects of medication.