Tourette Syndrome is a disorder which begins to manifest itself during early childhood. It is a condition that leads the child to have involuntary movements or noises which are commonly known as tics. A tic has absolutely no purpose or meaning and can be anything from an involuntary blink to the head nodding. Tics are extremely common in children and tend to last less than one year however if the tic lasts longer than this it can lead to Tourette Syndrome.

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What is Tourette Syndrome?
TouretteSyndrome is adisorder which beginsto manifest itselfduring early
childhood. It is a conditionthat leadsthe childto have involuntary movements
or noises which are commonly known astics.
Atic has absolutely no purposeor meaning and can be anythingfrom an
involuntary blinktothe head nodding.Tics are extremely common in children
andtendto last lessthanoneyear however ifthetic lasts longerthanthis it
can leadtoTouretteSyndrome.
Whilst it begins in childhood,this condition is also associated withvarious
otherdisorders such asADHD.TouretteSyndrome is much more common
thanoriginallythought, affecting 1 in 100 children. It is alsothreetimes more
common in boysthan it is in girls18
.
What are the causes of Tourette Syndrome?
Whilst the direct cause of Tourette Syndrome is unknown there are a
number of theories backed by scientists:
• Genetics: it is believedthat any abnormalities in genes can bethe root
causeofTouretteSyndrome.A child is also more likelytodevelopthis
syndrome if a memberoftheir immediatefamily also has it
• Neurological: some studies have shown afew minordefects inthe
brainsof children withTouretteSyndrome.Studies also suggestthere
could be a problem withoneofthe brain’s chemicals:dopamine
• Environmental: although not proven,there is researchto suggest
problemsduring pregnancy can causethisdisorder
What are the symptoms?
The main symptomofTouretteSyndrome is multipletics, either motoror
vocaltics which are persistent.Thesetics willoccurthroughouttheday, a
multitudeoftimes, and can cause certain social and schooldifficultiesforthe
child.Whilstthe average agefortheseticsto begin is sevenyearsoldthey can
occur at any point betweentwo and 14yearsof age.
Coprolalia – the involuntary use of swear words and obscenities – can
also occur due to Tourette Syndrome. This normally affects around one
in 10 children19
.
Echophenomena can alsotake place and involves copyingthe wordsothers
aroundthem say.
What treatment is available?
There arevarious psychologicaltreatments readily availablefor children
sufferingfromTouretteSyndrome.Cognitive BehaviouralTherapy (CBT) is
the most commonform which has provento be successful but Response
PreventionTherapy is also an extremely commonoption which allowsthe
childto recognise and controltheirtics.
There is also a rangeof education and support groups in communitiesto help
boththe child andthe parent understand and managethe condition.
Medication isonly used in severe casesto limitthe numberofticsthe child
experience; whilstthetics may notdisappear completelythey will be a great
deal more manageable iftreated inthis way.
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Tourette Syndrome
18
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Tourette-Syndrome.htm
19
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Tourette-Syndrome.htm