Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Head shaking

My 7 year old son is shaking his head every couple on second. We thought it is because he needed a hear cut. we took him to get the hair cut and it subsided a little for a couple weeks, but never went away. Now it is getting worse. People are noticeing his shaking. I really am concerned his friends are going to tease him. Is this something to be concered about? Could this be an indication of something medically wrong?
44 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal

I have an 8 yr old boy who is also shaking his head uncontrollably. He says he is aware that he has to do it because his head feels funny, but I'm not sure, as he does it when he's half asleep.

I have been told to ignore it and it will go away, as it's common for this age group to have nervous tics.. He is also putting his fingers up to his nose at the same time, which looks really weird. He is at a lovely school, where he is not bullied, but I am worried sick about him. Is it Tourettes, a habit, or an ear infection? It came on after two weeks of swimming, but also loads of computer games on holiday may have been the cause? He's very bright, and he doesn't seem to have been affected in that department yet.

I am planning on taking him to the doctor as it's now been a month. Have he antibiotics worked for you?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have an 11 year old that did the same thing. i had asked him to stop and didnt didnt even know what he was doing.and his dr said it was his tourettes
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My 7 year old started doing this (head shaking) in early April '09.  A few weeks later he came down with strep.  We put him on abx, and it looked like it was starting to subside, but then started getting worse - arms shaking, doing a funny shuffle while he walked.  Then he got a fever again, and I got a sore throat.  We both went to the doctor and we both had strep!  I probably reinfected him and he never really got over it the first time.  He's now been on abx for just over a week and the symptoms have gone away.  I'm going to call his pedi in the morning to see if he should be on a longer course of abx than 10 days.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
has anyone experienced this head shaking symptom long term?  my son started at 4mos old and is almost 7yo and still does it!  he is aware of it, he only does it when he's awake and he can stop for a few seconds but then he starts again. he's had eye, ear tests along with MRIs and there are no problems.  his dr keeps saying it's only a habit but i don't believe a habit developed at 4mos as soon as he learned to sit up.  i feel that there must be a medical reason for this behaviour.  he's always had trouble at school focussing, reading, writing etc. i am not sure who to approach to get him further tests?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
in response to the 4 mo old, my son too has been doing this at about 4 months, and still does it and he is 2 1/2.  He is a little developmentally delayed, and I am trying to find the cause of this because it is usually when he is tired or woken up and is still sleepy, but he makes a moaning noise with it.  It is more frequent at night, throughtout the whole night, he sits up in bed and does this till either he falls asleep sitting straight up or falls over in bed.  My heart aches for him because he is up through most of the night, and there is nothing I can do to soothe him.  Please, if you find out more information, please email me ***@****.

Thank You
Helpful - 0
509215 tn?1363535823
Hello there ladies, I think that you both need to take your children for 2nd opinions because what you are both saying sounds like Tourettes Syndrome. I think that having your children be seen by pediatric neurologists is a must! This really is the only way to get truthful answers for your concerns. Keep on going to different doctors until you are satisfied! I hope that you both get the proper answers. Good Luck!
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Child Behavior Community

Top Children's Health Answerers
189897 tn?1441126518
San Pedro, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
We answer your top questions about the flu vaccine.
Learn which over-the-counter medicines are safe for you and your baby
Yummy eats that will keep your child healthy and happy
Healing home remedies for common ailments