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Deciphering Tics and Tourette’s: Understanding the Differences and Treatment Options

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Navigating the Complexities of Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome

Many individuals often conflate a tic disorder with Tourette syndrome. Despite their association with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the potential impact of OCD treatment on tic and Tourette’s symptoms, each condition possesses distinct symptoms and therapeutic approaches.

Diagnosing Tics

Tics manifest as sudden, repetitive twitches, movements, or sounds occurring involuntarily. They resemble an intense urge or impulse rather than a reflex. For instance, someone with a motor tic might repeatedly blink while others shrug their shoulders. Vocal tics may involve throat clearing or grunting.

For a tic diagnosis, an individual must have experienced these symptoms for less than a year. They must exhibit either one or more motor tics or vocal tics exclusively. Furthermore, the tics must not result from other medical conditions, medications, or illicit drugs.

Diagnosing Tourette’s

Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) entails both motor and vocal tics persisting for at least a year. TS patients typically display two or more motor tics (e.g., blinking, shrugging) alongside at least one vocal tic (e.g., humming, grunting). These tics may occur independently or simultaneously.

In TS, individuals experience recurrent bouts of tics throughout the day, nearly every day. Onset typically occurs before the age of 18, and similar to tic disorders, tics are not attributable to other medical conditions (e.g., seizures, Huntington’s disease), drugs, or medications.

Treatment for Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome

While many individuals with tics and TS manage without significant hindrance, some may find their symptoms negatively impacting their daily lives and relationships. Medications and behavioural therapy offer viable treatment options.

Medications aim to reduce tic severity, while behavioural therapy equips individuals with strategies to manage symptoms effectively. Therapy may diminish tic frequency and severity, mitigate their impact, or achieve a combination of these outcomes.

If you or a loved one contend with tics or Tourette’s Syndrome and seek further discussion, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I am currently seeing clients from my office in Hove and online globally.

SOURCES

https://psychcentral.com/lib/ocd-tics-and-tourette-syndrome

https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/diagnosis/index.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-wealth/201203/got-tics-environmental-adjustments-can-help-0

https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/treatment

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