Tourette syndrome – causes, complaints & therapy

Tourette syndrome

Tourette’s syndrome is a nerve disease in which sufferers suffer from so-called verbal and/or motor tics, in which, for example, strong language or swear words are uttered loudly.

What is Tourette’s syndrome?

Tourette’s syndrome is a nervous disease. Those affected suffer from so-called tics, for example, they emit foul words or insult their counterpart. These reactions are involuntary and usually cannot be controlled by the person suffering from Tourette’s syndrome.

Due to their uncontrollable behavior, they experience negative reactions from the environment, ranging from insecurity, fear to aggressiveness, if the other person is not familiar with the symptoms of the syndrome and therefore perceives them as a personal insult.

Tourette’s syndrome is named after the French physician Georges Gilles de la Tourette, because he was the first to summarize the symptoms and characterize the disease.

Causes

The causes of Tourette’s syndrome have not yet been clearly clarified. There is evidence that the syndrome is related to defects in the basal ganglia, which are responsible for fine-tuning the body regions.

For example, it is conceivable that metabolic processes in connection with dopamine or serotonin get out of control and cause the typical tics. Another theory is that Tourette’s syndrome could be an autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies restrict the function of the basal ganglia.

In addition, it is discussed whether a mutation of the gene “SLITRK1”, which is located on chromosome 13q31.1, is the cause of the development of Tourette’s syndrome, because after all, the gene influences the formation of nerve cells.

In this context, it is also referred to as hereditary Tourette syndrome, as initial results suggest that in about five to ten percent of cases, the gene mutation can be transmitted from a parent to the child.

Symptoms and course

In Tourette’s syndrome, so-called tics occur involuntarily and uncontrollably as well as suddenly. At the motor level, for example, this can be a nose wrinkle or wink, but also hitting, uncontrolled twitching and self-harming reactions (such as hitting the head against a solid surface) are observed.

On a verbal level, it can refer to a simple coughing, clearing throat or imitating animal voices, it becomes more complex when – often completely independent of the context of conversation – obscene and offensive things are shouted out loudly or other people are imitated. This behavior is not conscious and uncontrollable, and it occurs more frequently in situations that are emotionally stressful or stressful.

Tourette’s syndrome usually manifests itself first at primary school age and reaches its full manifestation by the age of about 14. In puberty, Tourette’s syndrome has its “flowering period”, sometimes it subsides afterwards or even disappears completely (in very few cases).

Diagnosis

Tourette’s syndrome is diagnosed by observation, not clinical or psychological tests. In order for the syndrome to be diagnosed, at least one verbal tic and two motor tics must be present.

It must be ruled out that the tics are a reaction to substance abuse or arise on the basis of a disease factor. The tics must have occurred for the first time before the age of 20 for the diagnosis of Tourette’s syndrome to be justified.

Treatment and therapy

A direct cure of Tourette’s syndrome cannot take place, since the causes that lead to its development are not yet known. The only way to help sufferers is to subject them to psychological therapy or drug treatment. Decisive for the choice of therapy method(s) is the consultation of specialists such as (adolescent) psychologists and neurologists.

Medical treatment is usually only indicated in severe cases and is carried out by administering so-called neuroleptics such as tiapride, pimozide and haloperidol. In some cases, other drugs are also used, especially if there are other disorders such as anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder in addition to Tourette’s syndrome.

On a psychological level, “deep brain stimulation” as well as self-control and relaxation training can be used. It is also helpful to treat people suffering from Tourette’s syndrome in such a way that they learn to better deal with tension and stress situations that are often triggers of tics.

For example, some sufferers can learn to master their tics for a short time and use this span to go into a kind of “sanctuary” and let their tics out there without anyone noticing. Music therapy also helps many sufferers – for example, if they learn an instrument that requires hand and foot use (piano, organ and drums, for example), the nervous impulses can be redirected and used.

Exercises for voice training can also help with verbal tics, because it can be trained, for example, that instead of foul expressions a melody is announced. Above all, this can help those suffering from Tourette’s syndrome to get along better with their environment.

Prevention

Since the cause of Tourette’s syndrome has not yet been conclusively clarified, no effective prevention is known. However, parents whose children show signs of Tourette’s syndrome should keep in mind that their children react involuntarily and not intentionally and that they themselves are highly uncomfortable.

When a tic occurs, it should be given as little attention as possible. In addition, children who are affected by Tourette’s syndrome should be taught by their parents as early as possible that they do not do anything wrong and do not have to be ashamed, and that the reactions of those around them are only signs of incomprehension.

With further education regarding Tourette’s syndrome, a better understanding of the syndrome will hopefully spread in the future and the suffering of those affected will be reduced.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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