Tongue clicking

by Ann
(Canada)

Does anyone have ideas around this "habit"?



Comments for Tongue clicking

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Mar 15, 2023
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starstarstar 		Reading and clicking
by: Samantha

I have nothing the tongue clicking when I'm relaxing or reading. Not sure if anyone else does this.
Feb 23, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Mouth clicking
by: Anonymous

My husband also does the clicking thing with his mouth says it's a build up of salivor but does it all the time more so when lying down bedtime. Has any one had any Dr relief for it? It's so annoying I try to tell him to try not over think it and not do it. He gets agro says he can't, does anyone know the cause.
Dec 17, 2020
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starstarstar 		Sleep clicking
by: Anonymous

I’m 20, I’ve been clicking in my sleep for the past 4 years or so? My partner notices it when I sleep but I’ve never heard myself or woke myself up. I don’t do it all the time tho - apparently it’s usually after stressful days where I’m exhausted or worrying about things. It’s like my brain is keeping active thinking about everything that’s happened that day. Odd...I don’t have Tourettes or Autism, it might just be a ‘normal’ vice some people have? I can’t find any literature on it tho after lots of googling...strange one but nice to know I’m not the only one!!
Nov 14, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue clicking
by: Steve gray

I’ve had rhinoplasty, uvalectomy, palette stiffened, still snore and tongue click. I wear a gum shield to sleep, I need something to stop my tongue clicking ( suctioning) the roof of my mouth. Can’t find anything out there
Jul 22, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Clicking in Sleep
by: Riah

Hello, I have been making clicking noises with my tongue in my sleep for as long as I can remember. My man suffers from it because it's so loud he can't sleep. We wake each other up several times a night because he is trying to get me stop clicking. It has even woken me up myself a few times when it gets too intense.

I have searched everywhere and all I can find is that it could be anxiety, sleep apnea,or drug/ alcohol abuse. I don't drink or use drugs, so it could be the either of the other two reasons, but I was wondering if there was anything else it could be because I couldn't find much of anything about it. Please help, this is driving me insane and my man can't sleep!
Mar 31, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Don’t Necessarily Worry
by: Ian

I occasionally click my tongue. Usually it’s when I have concerns on my mind and a build-up of anxious or nervous energy and no immediate outlet.

Working out the issue and tackling it normally works. Alternatively, if it’s not ready to go away, finding something to expend my energy, such as gardening or exercise, gives temporary relief.
As mentioned elsewhere, there could be a connection with the autistic spectrum. I would, in general, avoid homeopathic remedies - they’re not NICE registered for a reason.
Feb 06, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue clicking
by: Chree.elese

Either onset of Parkinson's or thyroid disease of some sort ... Hope that information helps
Jan 02, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

I have recently started tongue clicking (I'm 17), and it's been whenever I'm concious and not eating or talking. It's literally ALL the time, and I don't know why...
Nov 21, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue Clicking
by: Anonymous

I have a gay friend who does this clicking ALL the time! (He's going to be 38) At first I thought he was trying to be like the drag queen Alyssa Edwards on RuPaul's Drag race. (My gay friends will know who I m talking about. for you straight people who haven't seen RuPaul's drag race, you can see Alyssa here doing it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3SxqJAyVr0 )

But the problem is this is part of his "Character". My friend does this on a CONSISTENT basis. I talking while sitting in a movie theater, while eating in a restaurant, watching TV....24 hours a day. The clicks can sometimes happen 10 seconds, sometimes 3 seconds apart!! The only time he is not doing it, is when he is sleeping.

To be honest, it scares the crap out of me. I don't know if he has Tourette syndrome or what it is. He is also fidgeting his hands, will all of a sudden start skipping while moving his head side to side, or stop in place and wiggle his behind side to side like he is dancing in the middle of a dept store. It's embarrassing and scary at the same Time!

I have seen also that this can be a sign of the start of dementia. At 38?? I just don't want to wake up one day with him standing over me while I am sleeping holding a butcher knife. Also don't know how to approach him with this and what to say! HELP!!
Nov 09, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Clicking before/after every sentence
by: Kido

I am not sure if tongue clicking describes the behaviour I find really disturbing and distracting.

If you watch videos on the internet, there is this tendency with many western speakers who like to make this tsk noise after every sentence. Sometimes they like to make this sound after a particularly long sentence where they start to screw up their faces as if running out of air, and then make a loud sicc...right on cue. Seems to be some kind of attention grabbing and self important kind of behaviour, because they will make a really loud click after delivering an important point.
Jul 03, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue clicking when eating
by: Anonymous

My roommate always click her tongue and produce tsk tsk sound whenever she eats every single times. She also make that noise every single sip of water. The noise that she made are so loud. It is really annoying because of the noise and as a matter of fact i have misophonia. So, you would know how misserable my live is right now.

I cannot wait to go home in a week from now. Even a week felt like hell when living with her. I think she made that noise more than 10 times in 1 minutes especially when she eats fruit. Why she ate and drank with so much noise? Did she realise that? Because i'm a quiet eater and drinker. I'm sorry if i hurt yours heart by my words.
Apr 01, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Dementia
by: Nurse

Tongue clicking is common in patients with dementia. It’s generally called preservation. Generally the patients will present with a repeated behavior like a gesture, phrase, or tongue clicking that will become more and more prevalent.

If this is a new behavior especially i would consider taking the loved one to see a doctor just for a once over!
Dec 13, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

I'm a 62 year old man and have recently started doing a tongue click just before I say something. It doesn't happen all the time, but is often enough to annoy my wife.

I have ADD, but don't know if that's related to the clicks. It's kind of like a punctuation at the beginning of what I'm saying, and that could be a statement or an answer to someone's question.
Jul 01, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

My dad started doing this for the last year. Hes 79. Especially when you walk past his room and he's watching tv. Don't know what it is but its driving me mad. However I think he had signs of dementia. Talk about the weather and he asked where I had put his cheese (while we're standing outside). Perhaps this is part of that I don't know for sure. I just know the tongue clicking gets to me like nails on a chalkboard and I don't know how to stop it. Advice or answers most welcomed.
Jun 27, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Clicking noise causes
by: Anonymous

I'm not a medical doctor, just a regular girl who's husband has been "clicking" "smacking" whatever you want to call it.. bottom line is if anyone understands it, it can be extremely annoying.

My husband has been doing this since I first met him 10 yrs ago. Only at night while he is sleeping. Honestly there could be many reasons why this happens to some people. Some say it's an anxiety disorder or a sleep disorder which in most cases it is.

However our situation is far different. My husband has been battling a heroin addiction for almost 8 years. Once he relapsed the noise would start in his sleep which unfortunately is an obvious sign he relapsed and has been using. When he is clean he never makes that strange noise.

Now I'm not accusing this habit being complete cause from his addiction torwards opioids, but I've heard others having the same problem. Everybody is different so one cause of a medical condition may not be linked to others.

My opinion however is that drug addiction is very much linked to anxiety so I'm sure the anxiety issue is a big part of it. My advice to anyone is go visit a doctor because asking on the internet is good if you want to find out similar stories, but physically seeing a medical professional in person is what will help you most.

I wish luck and hope anyone out there with this problem gets a solution on how to help it! <3
Apr 18, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue Clicking
by: Anonymous

Hi 'There is Hope', I notice you mention a homeopathic remedy that has helped your son get over his tongue clicking. Could you let me know what it is called please, as I have had this annoying clicking noise and my mum tells me to stop and my son sometimes mimics me. I have tried to stop but it is only short term and then whenever I am anxious/stressed/nervous it starts again.

I really need to stop before anyone else (either work colleagues or customers as I work in a call centre) catches on and gets annoyed by it. It's getting so bad it's getting me down which isn't helping as it's a vicious circle.
Sep 02, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Adult tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

My 60 year old man friend does this. I've been ignoring it but wonder if I should say something. He also avoids eye contact sometimes when we're talking. He's very bright and well read so I am confused. He told me that one of his sons has Aspergers. Are these things connected? Sometimes I wonder if he does it because he is nervous or maybe he's bored? Not sure exactly how to handle this, or just let it go.
Aug 03, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tics disorders and alternitive
by: There is Hope

My son has had transient tics since at least the age of 2, he is now 9. He was later diagnosed with Turrets. About 2 years ago it really started to become noticeable. I have tried to not make a big deal,as they only stresses him out more. Stress and lack of slep definitely play a role. He is also high IQ and I think there does tend to be a correlation.

Anyway I found this tic remedy on line that had great reviews. Its homeopathic, I bought it and we tried it. Although it does not taste great my son asks for it when he feels he needs it and the tics tend to fade away rather quickly. 2 years later we rarely have to use it anymore, only during high stress periods. I am much relieved... he still has some anxiety but it does not manifest into tics very often anymore.
Sep 26, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Reply
by: Anonymous

Dear should I be worried. Google Tourette syndrome. See a neurologist immediately to get your son help. Good luck.
Aug 07, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		tongue clickimg
by: J Christen

I am 87 years I started to click my tongue and make saliva bubbles, about a year ago. I can't stop it but for a short time, and then it comes back again.Every body around me notices it and it is very upsetting. My will power is good as long as I can think of stopping, but if I do or think of something alse it'll come back automatically. What can I do to get rid of this terrible thing?ers
Mar 12, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sensory seeking or tic?
by: Anonymous

My 5yo boy came home from school one day clicking his tongue. It has been 5 days now and he is still doing it. His teachers tell me they haven't heard him do it at school. I am concerned that this popped up out of nowhere. I just had him evaluated yesterday for SPD. Should I take him to see some kind of doctor for this or just monitor it?
Feb 14, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Should I be worried?
by: Anonymous

Reading comments from others in really quite confronting and scary really. My 7yr old son has had a few things over the last 12mths. I first noticed he was blinking a lot and kind of screwing up his face a bit. This lasted a couple of months then it just seemed to stop. He then started clicking his tongue. I have told myself its just a habit, but after reading some of the commenrs here I'm not sure. He only seems to do it when he is tired or stressed though. He does not do it at school all day and its rare for him to do it during the day on weekedns too. He has a high IQ and I have been told it's not uncommon for kids with high intelligence to have certain quirks. I just find it strange he does not do it during the day. If it's turrets wouldn't it happen most of the time?
Feb 09, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		stupid annoying sound
by: Anonymous

OMG, this has gotten to be the most annoying thing ever, there's this lady at my job, every time she's about to tell a story or say something, she makes that clicking sound, i really don't know what is the point of doing this, but now has the other ladies at my job doing this.. this is sooooo annoying, I feel like they are speaking in Klingon

I wish it could stop
Feb 03, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

My mom who is 63 years old just started this annoying habit of clicking her tongue. It seems that she is not aware of this. It gets pretty irritating to be in the same room/car with her because she does it three at a time and then not even within 1 minute she starts again. Is this some type of disorder? I really don't know how to approach her and tell her without her getting mad. I'm thinking it's OCD? Help!
Jan 14, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue Clicking
by: Anonymous

I am age 12 and I have been tongue clicking ever since I was born. I do his 24/7 and I don't/do think its a bad thing. I was recently skyping with my friend and I was concentrating on homework and I was clicking my tongue, and she yells at me to stop.. I am afraid that when I am older that this can cause problems for me. Can anyone help me?
Oct 20, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		my niece
by: Anonymous

My niece is two years old n every time after she says a sentence(sorry i can't spell)she clicks her tongue. It's not aloud click and you wouldn't even notice it unless she's right in front of u talking to u even then its such a soft click. what would u think this would be caused from?
Sep 19, 2014
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starstarstar 		I do it but I don't have any disorder
by: Anonymous

I can do the clicking and can stop and start anytime I want to. If your child does not have any illnesses or any of the other things commenters have said then it may be just because they have a strong tongue or something. I am perfectly healthy and met many others who can do it that are healthy. I started since forever and your child may be doing it just because maybe other people have a very hard time doing it. That's was my case. I hope this helps a little
Sep 17, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		My clicking
by: Anonymous

I'm 17 and just started high school as a senior I've started clicking my tongue and I can't help it I know I'm doing it but it's gotten to the point where I can't control it and my jaw automatically does it and now my head starts nodding to the side my tongue is clicking. It usually starts when I'm bored or it's loud, or just when ever I've stopped noticing now. I even to it in classes and I can't help it. When I start to go to sleep my body also tenses which wakes my boyfriend up which he then wakes me up and this happens for about 2-3 hours. I think it's when I'm nervous that I start clicking or when I'm bored/have nothing to do. I've also become shaky when this happens. It's really making it hard for me to concentrate. And another thing is I do this high pitch screech when it's quiet or I'm bored and I can't help it I feel the need to do it, then my body does it. I seem to have no control anymore.
Feb 15, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		clicking
by: Anonymous

My sister is 24 years old and she does this clicking also, like whenever she's mad or frustrated or doesn't get her way. Its annoying and getting on my nerves. Is this a disorder?
Jan 11, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

My son has just started tongue clicking.We are not sure why he has started,but we have made a doctors appointment.I can say reading the comments broke me into tears. I love my son so much and wish this was not happening to him.
Nov 21, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Help for your son
by: Anonymous

Tongue clicking is mainly an autistic symptom. Have you had your son tested?

I know in some cases tongue clicking is a prelude to anger outbursts. If he hasn't had an outburst before, this might be a warning more symptoms or a change in behavior is surfacing.

1st things 1st if you haven't had your son tested do so a.s.a.p. so you, him and the rest of the family can begin to understand what is causing the clicking as well as what emotional stresses your son is having to suffer.
Nov 03, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Please help
by: Anonymous

Please help... My son (17) only clicks his tongue when trying to sleep. If he consciously controls the movements, he does not click. Then as he is just starting to fall asleep the clicking starts up again and is is fully awake once again. I have listened to him while sleeping aand it is really loud. He has told me that he wakes up a lot during the night because of this. He has had this for a long time but it seems it is getting worse.
Apr 06, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue clicking with Tourettes
by: Anonymous

My son has been clicking his tongue for months. It is very loud and annoying. He's usually the first to wake up, and soon thereafter the clicking wakes up the whole family. It happens on and off all day, along with other tics. He has Tourettes. Stress and lack of sleep make tics worse. Clicking is not as bad as other tics. Several doctors agree nothing should be done to treat it because the only medications have terrible side effects. Despite stress it causes family we do our best to just tolerate and not criticize. He hates tics, recognizes it, but cannot stop it. Sad situation, but better than so many other.
Mar 28, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		My new problem
by: Anonymous

I am 20 years old and Ive never been big on getting tics. Oddly enough, the day I moved out of my parents house I noticed I developed this tongue clicking problem. It's been a month now and I can't stop. I notice it only when it gets really loud. I would relate it to when I'm stressed or thinking a lot. I don't know what to do, or if it will ever go away. It came so suddenly and happens so many times a day
Jul 08, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

my son clicks when he is alone or he has nothing to do i am worried as he keeps telling me that they is sugar in his tongue i have stopped any sort of sugar in his cereals ei cornflakes, weetabix and it distract other children in his class.
May 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		When he's upset
by: Anonymous

My son will click his tongue, but toward the back of his throat. The sound is muted since his mouth is generally closed. He'll do this when he's upset or calming down from being upset.
May 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		LOUD tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

Yes, my son has done it for some years now - despite the fact that he gets in trouble for it at school, etc. He just can't help it. He also has SPD, so I see he does it when stressed, when in a room with a lot of sensory input, when trying to alert or awaken himself/his system for some reason, etc. He is not aware of or in control of these, so the best solution is gum or candy to suck on. :)
Apr 02, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		tongue clicking
by: kelly

Have him checked by a doctor, it can sometimes be tourettes syndrome. The more stressed or nervous a child is with tourettes, the more you will see the ticks. A very common age of diagnosis seems to be around 7-8yrs old.
Apr 01, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

My son starts clicking his tongue after something stressful happens. Ex...a fight w his younger brother. I'm so upset about his clicking. It goes on for days. I don't know what to do to make him stop?
Jul 25, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

my 8yr old daughter had several habits all to do with her face, screwing up her nose, blinking a lot and tongue clicking which can drive you crazing. We have since found out that she has Tourette's syndrome. I hope your friends daughter tongue clicking is just a habit, but if not tourette's is something they have no control over.
Jul 11, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

My daughter's friend does it constantly and it is so annoying. My daughter started and I put a stop to it right away. I am here looking it up on the internet to see why a child would do it.
May 13, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		tongue clicking
by: Anonymous

My son, 5 does that, especially when there is loud noises or just to distract himself from the surroundings. I never met anyone who does that and people are like what is he doing. He also has other sensory issues. This is a great site because i just found out about this but have been dealing with it for 4 years and everybody just thinks im spoiling my son by giving in to him. Is there a certain time when you child does the tongue clicking?

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