University of British Columbia

Psychiatry, Year 3
Virtual Patient Case: Tic Disorders “Sam’s Blinking Problem”

This module presents the case of eight-year old Sam who presents with his mother
to their family physician because of frequent eye blinking and throat clearing over
the last year. The module illustrates the assessment of a child with repetitive
movements and discusses the natural history, diagnosis, common comorbidities and
management of tic disorders. This module is not intended to replace the exposure
to real patients with tic disorders, but it can be used to augment clinical exposure
and help acquire basic knowledge.

1. Learn the age of onset and progression of tic disorders

2. Understand the different types of tic disorders

3. Learn the differential diagnosis of tic disorders

4. Learn how to manage tic disorders