Overview of Tourette Syndrome
Tourette’s syndrome typically develops in childhood, and a person with Tourette’s disease exhibits uncontrollable verbal and motor motions. Tourette’s syndrome is frequently associated with underlying neuropsychiatric illnesses in children, such as
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- Anxiety disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Boys are three times more likely than girls to have Tourette’s disorder. Symptoms usually begin in early childhood, and most people have experienced their first symptoms before the age of 21. Lifetime prevalence ranges from 0.4 percent to 1.8 percent.
Tics can be controlled with medicine, but many people refrain from taking them unless their symptoms are bothering them. Tourette syndrome affects about 100,000 people in the United States, but the severity of symptoms varies from person to person. Symptoms frequently improve as children grow older, and sometimes, they ultimately disappear.
Tourette’s Syndrome: What Causes It?
Several hereditary and environmental factors are thought to be etiological factors causing Tourette syndrome. Most of the reasons are unknown, and experts are still investigating the risk factors that may lead to the onset of this disorder before and after birth.
Alterations in the brain chemical that controls all voluntary movements cause tic disorders, according to scientists.
A mutation in the SLITRK1 gene causes Tourette’s disorder in a few people. This gene is intended to play a role in nerve cell formation and the establishment of axons and dendrites (nerve cell extensions) that enable the neurons to communicate with adjacent cells. However, it is still unknown how a mutation in the SLITRK1 gene causes Tourette’s syndrome.
Inheritance’s role in Tourette Disorder
The role of genetics in the development of Tourette syndrome is unknown. Even though psychiatric characteristics run in families, a combination of environmental and inherited elements might cause this illness. It’s tough to foresee who else in a patient’s family is in danger of contracting the disorder.
Tourette syndrome symptoms
The signs and symptoms might range from minor to severe. Severe symptoms have a considerable impact on a person’s quality of life, ability to function, and ability to communicate with others. Tics are divided into two categories: simple tics and complex tics.
Tics are further divided into two types: motor or muscular tics and vocal or sound tics. The beginning of motor tics usually precedes the commencement of verbal tics. Tic intensity, on the other hand, varies from person to person.
Typical Motor Tics Observed in Tourette syndrome
Simple Tics
- Hard, repeated blinking of the eyes
- Jerking off the head
- Shrugging shoulders
- Moving eyes quickly
- Mouth and Nose twitching
Complex Tics
- Repetitive movements
- Hopping, kicking, or whirling
- Reiterating what another person has said
- Making Indecent gestures
- Taking steps in a specific pattern
Typical Vocal Tics Observed in Tourette syndrome
Simple Tics
- Grunting or making a low, inaudible noise
- Coughing or clearing throat
- Barking or growling
Complex Tics
- Using one’s own words or phrases repeatedly
- Using foul, indecent, or profane language
An unpleasant body response (portentous desire) such as an itch, tickle, or tension would most likely occur before the commencement of motor or sound tics.
Tourette disorder Treatment
Tourette syndrome has no specific treatment. Tics are usually managed such that they don’t interfere with daily activities and performance. If the tics are not severe, there may be no need for treatment.
Medications for Tourette Syndrome
The following medications can help to manage tics or minimize the signs of Tourette’s disorder.
- Tics can be controlled with medications that block or restrict dopamine production. Weight gain is one of the possible negative consequences. Fluphenazine, haloperidol, risperidone, and pimozide are some drugs that are used.
- Antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, and others) may help with melancholy, nervousness, and OCD symptoms.
- According to recent research, topiramate, a drug used to treat epilepsy, may help certain persons with Tourette syndrome.
Therapy for Tourette Syndrome
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Habit reverse training, which is a component of cognitive-behavioral therapy, assists in the monitoring of tics by recognizing worrisome urges and providing coping skills to combat them.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help with underlying psychiatric conditions like ADHD, depression, anxiety, and OCD that exacerbate Tourette’s syndrome.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
DBS can help those with severe tics that aren’t responding to other treatments. Those tics that are severe and not responding to any treatment, in that case, DBS can help.
DBS is a procedure that involves implanting an electrically charged medical device in the brain that triggers electrical stimulation in specific locations to regulate tics.
This remedy is still in its early phases of development, and additional research is needed to discover whether it is a viable treatment for Tourette syndrome or not.
Talk to your child’s school if they have Tourette’s Syndrome. You can give crucial information about your child’s condition to determine the level of assistance they are providing in return.
Social integration might be difficult for a youngster with the condition. Assist them in developing strategies for dealing with taunting and harsh comments from other children. Before it’s too late, it’s always a good idea to seek professional advice.
