Transcript Tourette Syndrome

Tourette’s
Syndrome
What is Tourettes?
• Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological
disorder characterized by tics
• Tics are involuntary, rapid, sudden
movements or vocalizations that occur
repeatedly
Tics
• Tics might be described as “compelling”
rather than involuntary.
• People with TS feel an irresistible urge to
perform their tics
• Some can hold back their tics for hours at a
time
• This leads to a stronger outburst of tics once
they are finally allowed to be expressed.
Diagnostic Criteria
• Both multiple motor and one or more vocal
tics present at same time, although not
necessarily simultaneously
• Tics occur many times a day nearly everyday
throughout the span of more than one year
• Onset usually occurs between 5 –18 years
2 Types of Tics
• Motor Tics – eye blinking, head jerking,
shoulder shrugging and facial grimacing.
• Vocal Tics – Clearing your throat, sniffing,
tongue clicking, words or phrases.
Examples of Tics
MOTOR TICS:
• Many different kinds of simple motor tics.
• Ex: Ankle flexing, head jerking, nose twitching, eye
blinking, leg jerking
• Making obscene gestures
• Mimicking movements that others make
VOCAL TICS:
• Vocalizing obscene or other socially unacceptable
words or phrases (coprolalia) – very rare
– These come from the uncontrollable urge to voice the forbidden
even when they are the direct opposite of their actual beliefs.
• Repeating what someone else just said
• Repeating your own words over and over again
Co-Occurring Disorders
• People with TS are more likely to have any
combination of the following problems:
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Learning Disabilities
• Sleep disorders
Causes of TS
• Research is ongoing, but it is believed that an abnormal
metabolism of the neurotransmitters dopamine and
serotonin are involved with the disorder.
• Genetically transmitted by a dominant gene
• Parents having a 50% chance of passing the gene on to
their children
• Girls with the gene have a 70% chance of displaying
symptoms, boys with the gene have a 99% chance of
displaying symptoms
• Some research suggests that there might be a connection
between strep throat infections and TS, but this is still being
studied.
Treatments
• There is NO cure for TS, and no specific TS
medication — although some medications can
help control tics if they are severe enough to
interfere with a person's life.
• Not a psychological condition, but doctors
sometimes refer teens with TS to a
psychologist or psychiatrist.
• A therapist can help people with TS cope with
stress better and learn relaxation techniques.
Living with Tourette Syndrome
• Many people get better as they mature.
• In a small minority the symptoms completely
disappear.
• IQ of people with TS is normal but tics often
interfere with academic success.
• Many learn to deal with TS and go on to live
productive lives (see the Canadian doctor in
Oliver Sacks’ book Anthropologist on Mars)