What is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements (tics) and vocalizations.
Cases of TS range from mild to severe, with the majority falling into the mild category.
Who is affected?
TS can affect people of all groups and ages.
Though symptoms are most commonly first observed in early adolescence. Depending on the study, estimates of the number of people affected can range from one in one hundred for milder cases to one in one thousand for more severe cases. Males are four times as likely to express tic symptoms than females, while females are more likely to experience obsessive compulsive symptoms with TS.
What are the symptoms of TS?
A diagnosis for Tourette Syndrome typically requires each of the following symptoms to be present
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Multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics, although not necessarily occurring simultaneously
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The occurrence of tics many times a day, nearly every day or intermittently throughout a span of at least one year
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Periodic changes in the number, frequency, type, and location of tics, and waxing and waning of their severity (symptoms can sometimes disappear for weeks or months)
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Onset before the age of 18.
Note that individuals may experience ticcing as part of another neurological or Tic Disorder, so it is always best to consult a professional.
What are some examples of tics?
Tics can present in a multitude of ways and are different for every person with Tourette Syndrome or other Tic Disorders. Tics can be described as simple or complex; vocal or motor.
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Simple motor tics commonly include eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, or facial grimacing
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Simple vocal tics may include throat clearing, yelping and other noises, sniffing, or tongue clicking
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Complex motor tics are tics that may involve more movement or occupy more time, such as jumping, touching other people or things, twirling, or (rarely) self-injurious actions including hitting and biting Complex vocal tics may include uttering words or phrases out of context, coprolalia (vocalizing socially unacceptable words - experienced by fewer than 15% of people with TS), echolalia (repeating a sound or phrase just heard), and pallilia (repeating oneself).
What are some of the causes of TS?
The exact cause of Tourette Syndrome is unknown, though some studies suggest that genetic and environmental conditions may play a role.
The best evidence suggests that TS is caused by abnormalities in one or all of the following: brain regions such as the basal ganglia and frontal lobes, the circuits or nerves which interconnect these brain regions, or the neurochemicals upon which these nerve circuits depend.
Recent genetic studies indicate that several genes may be implicated and that environmental factors can affect the outcome. The gene or genes responsible for TS may be expressed as either TS or a milder Tic Disorder.
How is TS diagnosed?
TS is a clinical diagnosis that must be made by a trained medical specialist through observation. No blood analysis or other type of neurological test exists to diagnose TS.
Correct diagnosis is sometimes delayed after the onset of symptoms because some physicians are unfamiliar with the disorder. And because tics can wax and wane in severity and can sometimes be suppressed, they are often absent during doctor visits. further complicating an accurate diagnosis.
What is the treatment for TS?
The majority of people with TS are not significantly disabled by their tics or behavioral symptoms, and so do not require medication.
However, there are medications available to help manage symptoms when they interfere with daily functioning. Dosages will vary for each person and must be gauged carefully by a doctor. A doctor will administer medicine in small doses and make gradual increases until there is a maximum reduction in symptoms with minimal side effects.
Other types of therapy may also be helpful. Psychotherapy, though it will not help with tics directly, may help the person with TS and his/her family better cope with the disorder. Some behavioral therapies can teach the substitution of one tic for another that is more socially acceptable or less harmful. Relaxation techniques and biofeedback may help to alleviate stress, which in turn can lead to a decrease in tic symptoms.
Is there a cure for TS?
There is presently no cure for TS.
But most people with TS find that tics become less prevalent as they mature, often seeing a change in their late teens or early twenties. In one longitudinal study of TS, nearly 50% of the children enrolled in the study were observed to be virtually tic free by age 18.
Do people with TS experience other medical problems?
Not all people with TS have associated disorders. However, many people with TS do experience additional problems, including:
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Obsessions and Compulsions - repetitive unwanted or bothersome thoughts, accompanied by ritualistic behaviors. Examples of compulsions include touching something until it feels "just right," washing hands repeatedly, or checking that a door is locked over and over.
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Attention Deficit Disorder - indications include difficulty concentrating, distractibility, failure to finish what is started, difficulty listening, and general fidgeting.
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Learning Difficulties - may include reading, writing, perceptual and math difficulties Problems with Impulse Control - may result, in rare instances, in overly aggressive and socially inappropriate behaviors.
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Sleep Disorders - include frequent awakenings or walking or talking in one's sleep.
Do students with TS Need Special Education?
Although many students with TS function well in the regular classroom, others may have special educational needs.
Some students may require accommodations in the classroom like extra breaks or untimed exams, or they may require smaller or special classes, and in some cases, special schools. Information about students' rights is available from national TAA. National TAA also has a curriculum guide for educators as well as brochures to help the classroom teacher develop strategies for the student with TS. National TSA's website is www.tsa-usa.org.
For more detailed information about treating and coping with Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders, please reach out to us or join one of our monthly support groups.