rapid blinking

My 10 year old daughter started blinking very rapidly about 3 months ago. It doesn't happen always, seems to be worse when she is a little stressed. She says it is only one side of her face causing it. I was watching her this morning and from the time she woke up to the time she got to school it didn't happen once,but as soon as we arrived at school it started. Is this something to be concerned about?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Mark,

Such blinking can, indeed, be stressed-induced. If the blinking can be associated with particular psychosocial stressors, it would distinguish it from tic disorder in all likelihood.

Having said this, it is usually sensible to rule out medical conditions before assuming an emotional/psychological explanation. So, it would make sense to have her pediatrician examine her, and a decision can be made at that time about the need for a referral to an ophthalmologist.

If proper investigation yields the probability that the blinking is stress-induced, focus can then turn to identification of the stress response (and intervention around this), as well as on management of the stress itself. Even young children can be taught relaxation techniques to address the body's response to stressful life evenmts.