Tourette’s Syndrome (TS):
Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Tourette’s syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterised by sudden rapid, repetitive, non-rhythmic movements or vocalisations called “tics”. TS usually starts in childhood and is a condition that is largely misunderstood in society, as a small percentage of people with the disorder exhibit symptoms such as repeated swearing or making generally inappropriate comments.
The tics of TS improve during adolescence and vanish entirely or reduce significantly so that they are no longer bothersome by early adulthood. However, according to estimates, there are over 300,000 children and adults with TS in the UK at present. Fluctuations in frequency and severity tend to occur in the tics in TS, peaking around the age of 10 to 12. TS often co-exists with other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or other neuro-developmental and mental health issues.
Although TS cannot be cured, with mental health treatment, you will be able to manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. If you experience particularly severe tics that cause much frustration, stress or physical pain, our network of highly experienced specialist psychiatrists and therapists all over the UK can help minimise your symptoms of Tourettes.
The Different Types of Tics
If you have TS, your tics most likely follow a pattern of sudden, brief or repetitive movements of specific groups of muscles, such as rapid eye blinking or shoulder shrugging simultaneous with vocal tics like clearing your throat or sniffing.
Some people with TS experience complex motor tics, including a mixture of movements and vocal tics. These include repeating the words and phrases of others, known as “echolalia,” or uttering socially inappropriate words, known as “coprolalia.” This mix of symptoms is uncommon and manifests in only 10 to 15 per cent of people with TS.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of TS?
TS is diagnosed by the presence of motor and vocal tics. These may not necessarily occur concurrently, but they happen many times a day, almost every day for more than one year, with no tic-free periods lasting longer than two months. Tics may include:
Motor tics
Eye blinking
Eye rolling
Shoulder shrugging or jerking
Jumping
Twirling
Touching objects and other people
Vocal ticks
Grunting
Throat clearing
Coughing
Whistling
Swearing (only affecting around 1 in 10 with TS)
Tongue clicking
Repeating an overheard sound, word or phrase
Saying random words or phrases
Although tics have no harmful effects on your or your child’s health, motor tics involving sudden, jerky movements can be painful. The frequency and severity of tics can vary on a daily basis, with some symptoms worsening on some days and improving on others. Tics may be triggered when you or your child is especially stressed, anxious, exhausted, or even relaxed.
The urge to tic
If you or your child have tics, you likely feel an inner urge to relieve a tic before it occurs. This is known as a “premonitory sensation,” similar to the anticipation experienced before a sneeze. The only way to alleviate the urge is by completing the motor or vocal tic or repeating the tic for a specific number of times.
These premonitory sensations may include:
Burning sensation in your eyes before having to blink
Dry or sore throat before grunting or coughing
‘Itchy’ joints or muscle before jerking
Can Tics be Controlled?
Some people are believed to be able to control their tics, particularly during social situations such as a work meeting or in the classroom, when they can be especially embarrassing. However, achieving this control requires a lot of practice over time and considerable concentration.
While you may be able to control when tics occur, suppressing the urge can be very tiring. Moreover, it can lead to a subsequent increase in instances of tics, which is your body’s compensatory response to the previously unrelieved urges.
Tics occur less in certain daily situations, such as when you are reading, engaging in sports, or any activity that requires a great deal of concentration.
What Causes TS?
The exact cause of TS is still undetermined, but it is believed to be linked to a problem in the part of the brain that regulates body movements.
Due to many complex instances of TS, there are likely combined genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the brain’s ability to transmit information necessary for movement. Thus, chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin, which play a crucial role in the sending of these messages, may also be involved.
Further risk factors for developing TS include:
- Family history
If you or your child has an immediate family member who has had a history of TS or associated behavioural disorders, the risk of developing the disorder may increase. - Gender
Males are believed to be three to four times more likely to develop TS than females.
We understand that TS can present serious challenges and even hinder you from having the life you desire. That is why we have designed outpatient behavioural therapy programmes that allow flexibility. Conducted by specialist therapists, the therapy sessions aim to improve your Tourette’s symptoms and help you progress towards a better quality of life.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Treatment for TS
While no cure has yet been found for TS, most children and adults with tics will not require medication or specific treatment to alleviate symptoms. If you experience frequent and severe tics that your daily life is affected or lead to emotional and social problems, our therapeutic treatment programmes for TS can help.
Our specially trained and highly experienced therapists or psychologists support individuals with tics and other symptoms of TS by providing behavioural therapy and psychotherapy sessions. This approach can help minimise the frequency and severity of your tics by enabling you to control your urges to tic and increase self-awareness of triggering situations.
The following are some of the behavioural therapy and psychotherapy techniques our expert therapists employ during the treatment process:
- Cognitive behavioural interventions for tics (CBIT)
CBIT, including habit reversal training, will help you understand the feelings that lead you to tic. Working with your therapist, you will be able to determine other ways to lessen your urge to tic. This may include learning how to move voluntarily to preempt a tic that is about to occur. This technique can ultimately reduce symptoms by preventing your body from falling into a pattern of involuntary movement.
- Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy may also be beneficial as it teaches coping mechanisms for addressing TS symptoms and related social and emotional problems due to the condition. This can include changing your negative outlook into a positive one, concentrating on proactive ways of improving your relationship with the condition, and striving towards feeling more hopeful about living with TS in both the present and the future.
- Medication for TS
If you have been diagnosed with TS and the tics and symptoms associated with the condition are adversely affecting your overall wellbeing and ability to function in your daily life, medication can help reduce the frequency and severity of your tics. Although there is no single medication that will ensure substantial relief from symptoms, groups of drugs, such as A2 agonists or very small doses of antipsychotic medications (typically given in higher doses for treating psychotic conditions), can be effective.
Specific medications can also be beneficial when treating related neurodevelopmental or additional mental health disorders that may co-occur with TS, such as stimulant medication for ADHD and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for OCD, anxiety and depression.
FREE Tourette’s Assessment
If you or a loved one are struggling with Tourette’s, there is hope and a solution for you. You can receive treatment as an outpatient or inpatient and through one-on-one or support group therapy. We understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help and support.
Our multidisciplinary team of experts have successfully treated thousands of people suffering from anxiety, helping them regain control of their lives.
We can present and explain the world-class treatment options we offer, discuss your problem with anxiety with you, assess your condition, and give you recommendations on the best and most appropriate next step you can take so you can regain control of your life.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free Tourette’s assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to offer support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
