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Tourette's syndrome
Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder (a problem with the nervous system), in which the major symptom is tics. Tics are sudden, brief, involuntary movements (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics). The Tourette's syndrome, named for the French neurologist who first described the condition in 1885. Its symptoms typically begin when children are in grade school, with males outnumbering females three to one. While there is no cure, medication can reduce symptoms. Many children outgrow the condition after adolescence. Signs and symptoms The first symptom of Tourette's syndrome is usually a facial tic, such as eye blinking. As many as 1 in 200 children develops tics that last only a few weeks or months and then stop. Tourette's syndrome, however, involves multiple motor and vocal tics that have lasted longer than a year. When tics occur over a period of less than six months, their presence may be referred to as a transient tic disorder. A chronic tic disorder is one in which only motor tics are present and the course is longer than six months. Tics can range from mild to severe and may include grimaces, head jerking or body twisting. The individual may touch other people excessively or repeat actions obsessively. Some tics are vocal, such as grunting, coughing or barking. Tics can:
In rare cases, people with Tourette's syndrome may actually harm themselves by repeatedly biting their lips or cheeks, or banging their heads against hard objects. Causes The exact cause of Tourette's syndrome is unknown, but it appears to be linked to the gene or genes that control the chemicals that carry signals from one brain cell to another. About a third of people with the disorder have relatives with Tourette's, while another third have family members with milder tic disorders. Families of people with Tourette's syndrome also tend to have a higher incidence of obsessive-compulsive behaviors and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Risk factors A family history of Tourette's syndrome or other tic disorders is the strongest risk factor. Many people with Tourette's syndrome also have problems with:
Screening and diagnosis There is no laboratory test to diagnose Tourette's syndrome. Instead, doctors must rely on the history of the person's symptoms. The main criterion for a Tourette's diagnosis is the presence of both types of tics, movement and vocal, for at least a year. Diagnosis often is delayed because many physicians are unfamiliar with the disorder. Tourette's symptoms can play a game of hide-and-seek with your doctor, as the tics can come and go, or even be suppressed during doctor visits. In some cases, the symptoms are incorrectly attributed to psychological or behavioral problems. Treatment Most people with Tourette's syndrome don't require medication. However, if symptoms interfere with your ability to function, the following medications may help:
Coping skills It's important to understand that people with Tourette's have very little — if any — control over their tics. In fact, focusing too much on the tics can make them worse. Psychotherapy can't make Tourette's syndrome disappear, but it can help people learn to cope with the social and emotional problems that often result. Because tics tend to worsen with stress, relaxation techniques can help reduce the frequency and severity of Tourette's symptoms. A student with Tourette's syndrome may have trouble functioning in a traditional classroom. In addition to the tics, he or she also may have to contend with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities and sleep disorders, all of which can make adjustment even more challenging. Such students may require special assistance from the school district to help address their learning issues. Learning specialists may give the student a number of educational and psychological tests. Using the results of these tests, the student's parents, teachers and counselors develop an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) that outlines his or her goals and the instructional methods to achieve them. People with Tourette's syndrome are capable of functioning perfectly well in family, social and vocational settings. Tics may be disconcerting and uncomfortable, but they shouldn't prevent anyone from living a normal, active life. Tourette's syndrome > next > 1 > 2 > 3 > 4
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