Tourette Syndrome

BlinkingBriefly making a face as if angry or in pain (called a "grimace " пїЅ)Shrugging the shouldersJerking the headWalking in a strange wayKicking, jumping, or moving the body in odd waysScratchingMaking obscene gesturesVocal tics " пїЅ These are tics that involve unusual sounds or words, or phrases that dont make sense or seem odd. Examples include:- Throat-clearing, grunting, or other noises - Swearing - Repeating words or phrases (including echoing what other people say)

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Throat-clearing, grunting, or other noises
Swearing
Repeating words or phrases (including echoing what other people say)

People with Tourette syndrome often know that they are going to have a tic before it happens. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for Tourette syndrome? " пїЅ No. There is no test. But your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you or your child has it by learning about the symptoms. Most people with Tourette syndrome have a normal physical exam. пїЅ пїЅ

How is Tourette syndrome treated? " пїЅ Children and adults with Tourette syndrome don't need medical treatment unless their tics are severe. A person with Tourette syndrome might need treatment if he or she is having problems: пїЅ пїЅ

Talking with other people
Attending school or working at a job
Doing everyday things such as bathing, dressing, and eating

Treatments include: пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines " пїЅ Certain medicines used to treat different mental health conditions can lower the number of tics a person has.
Botulinum toxin (brand name: Botox) " пїЅ This is a medicine that is given by injection. It works by blocking or calming the nerve signals that make the muscles jerk or twitch.
Habit reversal training " пїЅ This treatment involves working with a therapist who teaches people with Tourette syndrome to recognize when they are about to have a tic. Then, the people train themselves to do a different movement that makes it hard to do the tic. This treatment is not available everywhere.

How can I learn more about Tourette syndrome? " пїЅ More information is available online from the Tourette Syndrome Association at www.tsa-usa.org. It's also important to make sure that family, friends, teachers, and co-workers of people with Tourette syndrome learn about the disorder. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83754 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Tourette Syndrome

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