tourette syndrome: what are the signs?

symptoms of tourette's usually start in childhood, increase when a patient is stressed, anxious or tired, and grow worse in teen years.

by dave yasvinski

published mar 08, 2023

4 minute read

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4 minute read

join the conversation

tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that usually begins in childhood. (getty)

tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes the sudden, involuntary production of sounds and movements known as tics. these tics, which begin in childhood and persist over time, can be repetitive and unpredictable, according to tourette canada. the condition typically manifests in early childhood and peaks in the mid-teen years with most patients experiencing an easing of symptoms as they enter adulthood. there is no cure for tourette’s and while the underlying cause of the disorder is currently unknown, it is believed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. most cases of tourette’s are not severe and patients usually do not usually require treatment when symptoms are mild.

symptoms of tourette syndrome

the vocal and motor tics that are a telltale sign of tourette’s are often preceded by an uncomfortable bodily sensation (similar to an itch or the feeling a person experiences before sneezing), with the tic itself producing a sense of relief. the tics themselves are categorized as either simple or complex. simple motor tics are produced by a single muscle group and include behaviours such as shoulder shrugging, lip-licking and head jerking. complex motor tics are coordinated behaviours involving multiple muscle groups and include jumping, spinning or touching objects. these types of tics can involve imitating the actions of others (echopraxia) or making inappropriate gestures (copropraxia).

simple vocal tics are meaningless vocalizations such as grunting, sniffing and humming, while complex vocal tics involve expressions of meaningful words but often in inappropriate tones or volumes. these tics can also involve repeating the words of others (echolalia) or the expression of vulgar words (coprolalia).

these symptoms, which vary in frequency over time and can increase when a patient is stressed, anxious or tired, usually grow worse as patients enter their teenage years and improve during the transition into adulthood. parents should contact a pediatrician if they notice their child is displaying evidence of involuntary tics. it is important to note that not all tics are indicative of tourette’s and some can appear and disappear on their own as children develop.

diagnosing tourette syndrome

as there is no laboratory or diagnostic test that can confirm a tourette’s diagnosis, doctors rely on clinical criteria when evaluating patients. these criteria, according to the mayo clinic, include:

tics that begin before the age of 18
the presence of both motor and vocal tics
tics that appear almost every day for a year
tics that aren’t caused by medication or any other disorder
tics that change in frequency, type or intensity over time

treating tourette syndrome

because there is no cure for this disorder, medication and therapy are used to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for patients. it is important to discuss any potential side effects with doctors ahead of time. medication that may be prescribed to patients include: drugs that block dopamine (to ease tics); botox injections into affected muscle groups (to ease tics); adhd medications (to increase focus and attention); central adrenergic inhibitors (to help with impulse control and rage issues); antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs.

recent research into the disorder has focused on producing more effective medication, with one drug in particular showing promise by reducing the number, frequency and intensity of tics experienced by study participants by an average of 30 per cent over a three-month period.

doctors may also prescribe behaviour therapy (to learn how to move in ways that counter tics) and psychotherapy (to help cope with the anxiety and depression that may accompany the disorder).

preventing tourette syndrome

with the cause still unclear, there is no sure way to prevent tourette syndrome but there are ways to help patients cope with their diagnosis. this includes reminding them that the symptoms they experience, while frustrating and embarrassing at times, usually peak in the early teens and then fade over time. because schools can be a challenging environment for patients (or anyone else, really), advocating for your child, building their self-esteem and finding support groups can make a big difference.

prevalence of tourette syndrome

it is difficult to assess the rate of tourette’s among children or adults because as many as 30 per cent of patients may be unaware they even have the disorder, according to one study. others may choose to conceal their diagnosis because of the stigma that accompanies the condition, another factor that has resulted a lack of consensus among experts. what is known is that tic disorders, including tourette’s, are more common among males than females and more prevalent in children than adults. school-based studies estimate that around 2-11 out of every 1,000 students has the disorder, with some studies putting the highest prevalence among the canadian population at 3.8 per cent and the lowest at 0.1 per cent.

support for tourette syndrome

tourette canada is a great place to learn more about the disorder and the challenges that may lie ahead of new patients. the site recognizes the need to support young people on a difficult journey and offers a virtual hangout where young patients can connect on a weekly basis to discuss whatever is important to them.

dave yasvinski is a writer with  healthing.ca

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