Severe excessive blinking

[kyle_12]

I can't say how long this problem has been going on for but at least I would say a year or two to the point where it is at now. I'm 21 but I think I've known since I was in my early teens that I did blink a little more then usual. Early on, I think it had to do with nervousness more than anything. Now, I'm not a nervous people anymore but yet more and more, it seems as if I have to blink all the time and its not just a blink, it's more like a blink/squint together. I may have to do that 2-3 times in a few seconds to relieve whatever is going on. I don't like wearing contacts but I notice that glasses don't usually help the problem. My parents have been getting on me the past year or so about the blinking and they always say "Relax" and I just say back to them ooookkkk. It's not that easy because part of me feels like I can't control it. But, another part of me does.

For example, typing this paragraph, I probably only blinked a few times but yet when I think about blinking, it makes me want to do that deep blink/squint that I find myself doing a lot. It's kind of annoying because I'll be eating with people and be fine, and then again, I'll think about my eyes and next think I know I feel like compelled to blink/squint a few times then maybe throw in a few more normal blinks in a row after the initial larger blink. I'm at the point in my life where I need to find out whats going and I'm scared a little bit. People like me and I have a lot of friends but deep down I know they are always saying to themselves, "man why does he blink all the time." Going into the real world soon, I don't feel like I can perform an interview without a good amount of these blinks being thrown in there and I know that doesn't look good. With that said, once i a while I will notice that until I think about blinking, I never have a problem with these excessive blinks. I don't know what to do and if anyone could help me, it would be much appreciated.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

You should approach your problem by having a respected Eye MD physician (ophthalmologist) do a complete comprehensive medical eye examination on you. You should share your concerns as outlined above. As the Eye MD to rule out blepharospam which is a different entity than a nervous "tic" or mannerism.

Blepharospasm is a condition in which the muscle that shuts the eye repeatedly spasms. It generally just affects one eye and does not increase if a person is nervous. It is treated with Botox injections.

If the eye examination is normal you may want to consider seeing a psychiatrist. Most of these are "tics" and mannerisms. They run the gamut from something that is not even a problem to big problems to Tourett's Syndrome that can be incapacitating.

Many tics benefit from insight therapy or mile muscle relaxants or anti-anxiety drugs.

Go to this site to learn more:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tic
JCH III MD      

[ddd12]

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who has this problem.  You explained my blinking problem right to a T.  I thought I was going crazy.  I just seen a psychiatrist about it.  He said to go to a optomologist.  Good luck.  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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