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What is Tourette Syndrome?
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Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, sudden, and involuntary movements or sounds called tics. These tics can be motor (movements) or vocal (sounds) and can range from simple to complex. Symptoms typically begin in childhood, between the ages of 5 and 10, and can fluctuate in severity over time.
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Diagnosis for TS
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Tourette Syndrome diagnosis relies on observing both motor and vocal tics, which have been present for at least one year, and onset before the age of 18, with symptoms not caused by other conditions or substances. There is no specific laboratory test or scan to diagnose TS; diagnosis is clinical, based on observation and assessment of symptoms.
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What Causes TS?
The exact cause of Tourette Syndrome is unknown, but it's believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Research suggests that abnormalities in certain brain areas and how nerve cells communicate, particularly involving neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, may play a role.
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Other Tic Disorders
TS is a tic disorder, but not all tic disorders are TS! (Like squares!) In all seriousness, there are lots of tic disorders including but not limited to: Persistent (Chronic) Tic Disorder, Provisional (Transient) Tic Disorder, ADHD Tic Disorder, Anxiety Tics, Other Specified Tic Disorder (OSTD).
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꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋꒷
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Remember, these are my answers to the questions from personal experience or research I've done. My experience will not always be the same as another person with TS or other Tic disorders. Everyone's experience is different and valid."Do you say the n word (or other slurs) in public?"
(MOST asked question.)
Actually, most people with TS don't have that risk! Tics like slurs, curse words, and phrases like "Kill yourself!" come from something called Coprolalia, the involuntary utterance of obscene or socially inappropriate words or phrases. This only affects 10% to 33% of people with TS. Also, try to think of this question in a different way, not everyone will know about someone's TS diagnosis and it would be very dangerous to let a tic like that slip out!
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"Why don't you just hold them in?"
Suppressing (holding in) tics can become very painful after a short time and the longer someone holds in their tics, the more likely it is they'll have a tic attack later in the day. Suppressing doesn't "fix" the issue of tics, it just builds up and will eventually have to release.
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"Can you feel tics before they happen?"
Sometimes, yes! Smaller tics I can't usually predict, like a simple head or facial tic and some vocal tics! Tics like hitting, screaming, and vocal tics longer then one word I have an easier time predicting.
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"How do I support someone with tics, or make them feel less awkward about it?"
Personally, my preferred reaction is to simply ignore it. Ask questions if they come to mind but other than that just don't comment on it. I like jokes if they're appropriate and not harmful to me, I would prefer that's not a constant thing though. Other people may want you to act differently, never be afraid to ask how they want you to respond.
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"I think I have tics, does that mean I have Tourette's?"
No. Tics can be caused by many things like Anxiety, ADHD, Provisional tic disorder, and Persistent (sometimes called chronic) motor or vocal tic disorder. See to the "About TS" section for TS diagnosis criteria. Whether you do or do not fit that, please talk to a Neurologist for their professional opinion.
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"How do you get a tic?"
Tics come from hearing, seeing, saying, or doing something at least a few times. For example, if I hear someone say "Chicken banana" enough times, there's a chance it will become a tic. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT use this knowledge to give someone a tic or cause them to tic in any way! It's extremely hurtful physically and emotionally. Be respectful, think about how your actions may affect someone!
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"Does it hurt to tic?"
Not in the way that you think. Most times, the tics themselves don't hurt (with the exception of violent tics like hitting of course) but if you do tic enough, your muscles will get really sore, vocal tics that are loud can start hurting your throat as well.
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"Can you Cure TS? What can help tics?"
Unfortunately there is no curing TS. Usually focusing on things like a videogame, music, drawing, even singing can help calm tics down. Depending on severity, someone with TS may be prescribed medication to help with symptoms, but usually those medications are antipsychotics and are quite dangerous to use.
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꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋꒷
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When I was 12 years old, my head started jerking to one side quite aggressively; I later learned this to be one of many tics I'd develop.Starting from my ER visit, I was very aware of why TS is a disability.My tics were very bad for months before my first neurologist appointment. I couldn't do things like eat, drink, talk, or interact with people normally. I threw most things I tried holding, bit myself and other people, and hit everything in sight.During that appointment, a couple things happened. My tics would interrupt the doctor, and he was so rude about it. The first diagnosis I got was Acute Tic Disorder, and, in his words, "This is definitely Tourette Syndrome, but we'll diagnose her with a Tourette's-like disorder until the year is up." We also set up appointments for an EEG (Electroencephalogram) and an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging.)During that year, my tics eventually calmed down, but they were still very apparent in my life. In that time I had lost friends, been accused of faking my tics, and left myself with many bruises and almost with broken hands.I've made friends who fake tics/Tourette's for reasons only they'll know, and I've had many people mock my tics, try to give me tics, and trigger my tics as a joke. I've developed genuinely disabling tics, such as one where my right hand locks up, and sometimes my left as well. I've lost control of my body and been forced to lie unmoving on floors, beds, and chairs with a breathing tic happening at the same time that limits my oxygen intake and causes extreme dizziness.I went back to school in grade 8 where I was mocked and laughed at. Eventually, my parents took me out of public school because "Your poor classmates must be so distracted."I tried again in freshman year of high school (grade 9) and in my very first week I was approached by a girl in my first period class and asked "are you the girl that got taken out of school because of her Tourette's?" I realized that she was just asking and genuinely curious, but it destroyed me to find out that is how I'm known by my school. I started homeschooling again after that.
(Currently tired of typing, i'll add more later.)!! To go back, click "Return" !!
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋꒷
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Here's a list of things you should and should not do when interacting with someone with TS or another Tic Disorder.*
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Do's
If the tic is violent, like hitting, checking up on someone might reassure them that you care and want what's best for them.
Help them distract themselves if their tics seem to be frustrating them. Show them something they can focus on, or listen to music with them!Don'ts
Mock someone's tics or trying to give someone a tic and trigger someone's tics purposefully.
Call it out when someone is ticking.
Interfere with someone's tics. Examples include: forcing them to stop hitting themselves (may cause injury/make it worse), Me: "Hi!" You "Hi!" Me (ticking): "Hi!" You (Knowing it's a tic): "Hi!" (it loops, and will cause more tics.).
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋꒷