Exploring the Tourette Syndrome Disorder
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a nervous system disorder. People with TS develop “tics.” Tics are uncontrollable twitches, gestures, or sounds that people repeat again and again. People with tics are unable to stop their bodies from performing these actions. A person might, for example, keep blinking over and over again. Alternatively, a person may grunt unintentionally.
Overview of TS
Having tics is similar to having hiccups. Even if you don’t want to hiccup, your body insists on doing so. People can sometimes stop themselves from doing a given tic for a short period of time, but it’s difficult. The person will eventually have to perform thetic.
Tics usually appear between the ages of 2 and 15, with the average age being about 6 years. Tourette syndrome is three to four times more common in boys than it is in girls.
There is no cure for it, however, there are treatments available. When symptoms aren’t bothersome, many persons don’t require therapy. Tics usually reduce or disappear after adolescence.
Symptoms of Tourette syndrome
1. Tics of the Motor System
Motor tics are divided into two categories: simple motor tics and complex motor tics. Simple motor tics are related to a single muscle, but complex motor tics appear to be done on purpose.
The following are examples of simple motor tics:
- Wrinkling of the nose
- Twitching of the head
- Blinking of the eyes
- Biting lower lip
- A grimace on the face
- Shrugging shoulders
The following are examples of complex motor tics:
- Kicking the can
- Leaping
- Imitating other people’s movements
- Inhaling the scents of the things
2) Vocal Tics: Vocal tics can be simple or complex. Simple vocal tics make a single sound, whereas complicated vocal tics make a more significant speech, such as words.
The following are examples of simple vocal tics:
- A coughing fit
- Clearing the throat
- Muttering
- The act of sniffing
- Making dog sounds
- Squeaking
The following are examples of complex vocal tics
- Making a statement
- Screaming
- Using the same words and phrases over and over
- Sounds of animals
Causes of Tourette syndrome
The causes are unknown. It is a multifaceted disorder caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
It has been linked to many regions of the brain, including the basal ganglia, which is in charge of coordinating body movements. These variations could have an impact on nerve cells and the molecules that transmit messages between them. The Tourette syndrome may be caused by a malfunctioning brain network. Children with a family member who has this ailment are more prone to develop it themselves.
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Risk factors of Tourette syndrome
Risk factors include:
- Family history. Having a family history of Tourette syndrome or other tic disorders might increase the risk of developing Tourette syndrome.
- Gender. Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop it.
Complications of Tourette syndrome
TS patients tend to enjoy healthy, active lives. Tourette syndrome, on the other hand, is commonly associated with behavioral and social difficulties that can negatively impact your self-esteem.
The following are some of the conditions that are frequently linked to it.
- Disabilities in learning
- Sleep disturbances
- Depression
- Anxiety problems
- Tic-related pain, particularly headaches
- Issues with anger control
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Autism is a type of autism
Coping strategies for TS
There is no sure way to prevent TS, but there are ways to manage it:
- Keep in mind that tics normally peak in early adolescence and improve as you become older.
- Seek knowledge, coping methods, and support from those who have Tourette syndrome.
Diagnosis of Tourette syndrome
To be diagnosed with TS, a person must meet the following criteria:
- Having both motor and vocal tics at the same moment or at different periods during the day
- Been doing the tics for at least a year.
- The tics began before the age of eighteen.
- The neurologist will make a more detailed diagnosis. The following tests are indicated for Tourette syndrome:
- Routine blood testing
- MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging)
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Treatment of TS
There is no cure for TS, however, there are therapies that can help you control your tics. Many persons with TS have minor tics that do not interfere with their daily lives and thus do not require therapy. If tics cause pain or injury, interfere with education, job, or social life, or cause stress, pharmaceutical, and behavioral treatments are available.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help you deal with underlying issues including ADHD, obsession, despair, and anxiety caused due to Tourette syndrome.
Deep brain stimulation
This method is used to treat severe tics that are generally unresponsive to other types of treatment. The brain is implanted with a battery-operated medical device that sends electrical stimulations to the target locations to control movement.