Fluorescent lights triggering vocal tics
 

Does anyone here or know of anyone who has has an issue with fluorescent lights trggering vocal tics? I get them and I usually have to turn my back and close my eyes as I turn them on until they stop the initial flashing. But I will get them if someone switches on a light without warning like a class room or office something.
I have TS and I am on haloperidol (seranace) to take the edge off them. Even though I get far more motor tics than vocal tics the vocal tics are far more noticable. The haloperidol certainly does take the edge of the vocal tics but makes little difference to motor tics, but I have learned to cope with those, except for sudden flashes and noises like the flashing with fluorescent lights.
Electronic gaming machines and disco lights can also trigger them.

Hi Paul

yes, there is documented and anecdotal information on photosensitivity triggering tics.

It seems the flicker is the main offender, and many parents have found that not only fluorescent lighting, but also screen flicker (TV, cinema and computer) can also be a tic trigger.

LCD screens are better than CRT as the flicker is reduced


There is a ton of info on photosensitivity and other triggers for tics at Latitudes/ ACN

Cheri

Welcome :)

Yes, wasn't it Claire who was up on this. Sigh :Sigh:....there was so much info that's lost (at least I think it's lost) on the old boards. But Chemar is right-Latitudes does have that info.

Take care,
Tessa

Hi Tessa

yes, Claire has put together some very helpful threads on photosensitivity and tics, and thankfully has them on Latitudes as well, as otherwise they would have been "lost" like so much valuable info was after the BT crashes over the years

My son definitely has certain photosensitive triggers, and, altho we do try to avoid the obvious ones where possible, we also are realistic about the fluorescent world we live in, and the trade off in tics vs TV, movies etc...what Claire refers to as "screens"

My son does actually avoid the cinema as much as possible as there, the combo of the darkened room with high flicker, loud sounds AND the many smells ranging from the cleaning chemicals, pesticides etc of the theatre, plus the perfumes etc from the patrons, makes for a major tic triggering event for him, both during and after the movie (His sensory integration dysfunction plus TS at work there)

At home we use incandescent lighting (and are concerned to hear it is being phased out in favor of compact fluorescent bulbs:( ) and we also have LCD TV and computer monitors to reduce flicker. My son always has a "daylight" lamp on when watching TV or using the computer after dark as this also reduces and "flashing" effect

My older son would have tics while playing his gameboy. I could know when he was playing it because I would hear him from the other room. It was quite remarkbale, actually, because it was really the only time that he would have noticeable vocal tics. He doesn't play it anymore so I haven't thought about it.

He has played this video game DDR (Dance, Dance Revolution) which he plays on the TV screen and thye move to the steps/music on cue. It gives a great workout so the exercise is good for them. I haven't noticed any tics from this.

I don't know about the movies as he always goes with friends now that he is older but he never complained so it is not an issue.

Take care,
Tessa

Movies where there is a lot of special effect flashing is a big issue with me. I remember watching Armageddon, and the flashing in that set heaps of vocal tics - really loud ones.

Also that paparazzi camera flashing on front of hotels when some celeb steps out - even if I watch them on TV - sets them off too.