Tourette Syndrome: Symptoms, causes, management & support

Tourette Syndrome is a nervous system condition characterised by involuntary sounds and movements, called ‘tics’. While the core symptoms remain the same throughout life, how Tourette's syndrome presents itself can differ between children and adults. 

Tics typically appear between ages 5 and 9. ADHD and OCD are more prevalent in children and adults with Tourette’s. 

Signs and traits of Tourette Syndrome

Tics are the defining characteristic of Tourette syndrome. These are sudden, brief bursts of movement or sound that can range from mild to severe. In some cases, severe tics can make it difficult to communicate, do daily activities. This might affect overall well-being.

Types of tics:

Motor tics: These involve involuntary movements of different body parts.

Simple motor tics: These are quick and repetitive, affecting a limited number of muscles. Examples include blinking, head jerking, shrugging, or twitching the nose.

Complex motor tics: These involve more coordinated movements of several muscles. Like touching or smelling objects repeatedly, copying someone else's movements, hopping, or making obscene gestures.

Vocal tics: These are involuntary sounds a person might make.

Simple vocal tics: These are brief, simple sounds like grunting, coughing, throat clearing, or barking.

Complex vocal tics: These are more elaborate vocalisations. Like repeating your own words or phrases (echolalia), repeating what someone else says (coprolalia), or using swear words (copropraxia).

Understanding tics:

• Tics can vary in terms of how often they happen (frequency), how strong they are (severity), and what kind of tic they are (type).
  

• Factors such as illness, stress, anxiety, tiredness, or excitement can make tics worse. They can even occur during sleep.
  

• Tics can change throughout a person's life. Often, they worsen in the early teenage years and improve as one transitions into adulthood.
  

• Before a tic happens, some people might feel an uncomfortable sensation in their body, like an itch, tingle, or tension. Performing the tic can actually relieve this feeling. Some people can suppress a tic for a short time, but it takes a lot of effort.

Myths vs facts: Demystifying tics and Tourette Syndrome

Myth: Everyone with Tourette syndrome yells swear words all the time.

Fact: Only about 10-15% of people with Tourette syndrome experience coprolalia, the involuntary use of swear words. 

Myth: Tics are caused by bad parenting or a lack of discipline.

Fact: Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder, likely with a genetic component. There's no link to upbringing or a person's character.

Myth: People with tics can easily control them if they try hard enough.

Fact: Tics are involuntary, though some people can suppress them for a short while with significant effort. This suppression often leads to a stronger tic later, and might be severely uncomfortable for the person.

Myth: Tics are a sign of intelligence problems.

Fact: Tourette syndrome has no bearing on intelligence. Many people with Tourette syndrome are highly intelligent and successful.

Myth: Tics only affect children.

Fact: While tics often start in childhood, they can persist into adulthood. However, symptoms often improve as individuals transition into adulthood.

Myth: Tics are contagious.

Fact: Tics are not contagious. You cannot "catch" Tourette syndrome from someone else.

Myth: Everyone who has tics has Tourette syndrome.

Fact: Tics can be a symptom of other conditions as well. Tourette syndrome is a specific diagnosis with stricter criteria, including both motor and vocal tics lasting for more than a year.

Myth: Stress causes tics.

Fact: Stress can worsen existing tics, but it doesn't cause them. The underlying cause of Tourette syndrome is still being researched.

Myth: People with tics are always frustrated or angry.

Fact: While some people with tics may experience frustration due to their symptoms or negative biases, Tourette syndrome itself is not a mental health disorder and doesn't dictate emotions.

How to interact with someone with Tourette Syndrome

Sometimes social interactions can be exhausting for people with Tourette’s because of negative biases, ableist comments, and a general lack of awareness among people. Here are some things to remember if you want to be mindful of the experiences of someone who has Tourette’s:

• Tics are involuntary: Tics are uncontrollable movements or sounds. Scolding or asking someone to stop their tics is not cool.
  

• Focus on the person: Treat the person with Tourette’s just as you would anyone else. Engage in conversation, share interests, and build a rapport based on who they are, not their tics.
  

• Avoid prying: Skip questions like "What's wrong with you?" or "Can you control that?" These can be insensitive and embarrassing.
  

• Open communication: If appropriate, consider explaining Tourette syndrome to a child with TS. This can help them understand their own body and feel less anxious. Also try and sensitise their peers and friend circle.
  

• Empathy and support: Help the person with Tourette’s feel comfortable and accepted. Avoid stares or making them feel like their tics are a burden.

Managing tics:

• Stress reduction techniques: Offer support through relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness. These can help manage stress and potentially reduce tic frequency or intensity.
  

• Focus on solutions: If someone with TS has tics that could cause harm, focus on collaborative solutions. This might involve finding fidget toys or adapting activities to reduce risk.

Remember: Everyone experiences Tourette’s differently. Be patient, understanding, and create a space where the person with TS feels comfortable being themselves.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general awareness and understanding only. It is not written by medical professionals and should not be considered as medical advice. For professional diagnosis or treatment, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.