April's Monthly Topic-Tourette Syndrome

The Abler Blog’s New Topic For April-Tourette Syndrome Author Disclaimer I am not a professional of any kind. I am strongly against self-diagnosis and encourage my audience to seek the professional advice of their trusted medical professional and any other trusted professional depending on the topic at hand. THE ABLER BLOG ONLY PROVIDES LIMITED GENERAL INFORMATION AND ALWAYS CITES WHERE TO FIND THE RESOURCES AND OR INFORMATION THAT THEY USE TO CREATE THEIR BLOGPOSTS. Jessica Niziolek, Founder Of The Abler Blog, and online community. The rescue used in this blog post: mayoclinic.org Tourette’s Syndrome: A disorder that involves the person experiencing repetitive movements, and unwanted sounds to occur. This is also known in their community as tics. When the person experiences having these-it’s not something they can control. For example, the person may start to blink their eyes, blurt out unusual words, or swear. When Do The Tics Begin To Show: The usual age range is 2-15 years old. But the average age is around six years old. Boys are typically more likely to be diagnosed with this disorder. They’re about three or four times more likely to get a diagnosis of Turrets. Is There a Cure For This Disorder? Sadly, there is no cure, but there are treatment options available. Some people who have this condition, may not experience issues with controlling their tics. And can lesson once they’re out of their teenage years. How Is This Condition Diagnosed? There isn’t any specific test available to test for this condition. It is all based on the history and signs the person is experiencing. What Are The Criteria For a Diagnosis Of Tourretts? Please Note: the following is not the entire list of criteria listed. Tics aren't caused by medications, other substances, or another medical condition Tics must change over time in location, frequency, type, complexity, or severity It’s also important to note that this condition often gets overlooked, and can be misdiagnosed as another health issue or condition. For example, if the person’s tics involve sniffling or eye blinking could be first seen as the person having issues with their vision, and or experiencing allergies. Unfortunately, this condition, like many carries a lot of stigma with them. Both motor and vocal tics can be linked to conditions other than Turret’s so, the doctor will more than likely order blood work and an MRI to rule out what the condition is for certain. Treating Tourrett For those who experience severe symptoms, certain medications can help control the symptoms of the person’s tics. Please Note: This will not be a full list. Medications that block or lessen dopamine. Fluphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal) and pimozide (Orap) can help control tics. Possible side effects include weight gain and involuntary repetitive movements. Tetrabenazine (Xenazine) might be recommended, although it may cause severe depression. Botulinum (Botox) injections. An injection into the affected muscle might help relieve a simple or vocal tic. ADHD medications. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Metadate CD, Ritalin LA, others) and medications containing dextroamphetamine (Adderall XR, Dexedrine, others) can help increase attention and concentration. However, for some people with Tourette syndrome, medications for ADHD can exacerbate tics. Therapies That Can With This Condition: Behavior therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Tics, including habit-reversal training, can help you monitor tics, identify premonitory urges, and learn to voluntarily move in a way that's incompatible with the tic. Psychotherapy. In addition to helping you cope with Tourette syndrome, psychotherapy can help with accompanying problems, such as ADHD, obsessions, depression, or anxiety. Deep brain stimulation (DBS). For severe tics that don't respond to other treatments, DBS might help. DBS involves implanting a battery-operated medical device in the brain to deliver electrical stimulation to targeted areas that control movement. However, this treatment is still in the early research stages and needs more research to determine if it's a safe and effective treatment for Tourette syndrome. For further information on this condition please visit: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tourette-syndrome/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20350473