Tourette syndrome and tics usually start around the age of seven and are caused by imbalances in the brain’s signalling system. A diagnosis can feel like a life sentence, especially for the parents of a severely afflicted child. However, for many people the tics disappear completely or in part, and many others learn to manage them.
Tourette syndrome belongs to a group of diagnoses known as neurodevelopmental disorders, where the brain functions differently from the neurotypical brain. In this case, it produces symptoms in the shape of movement (motor) and vocal (phonic) tics. Tics are more or less reflexive movements such as blinking the eyes, shrugging the shoulders, clearing the throat or touching objects.
Many people associate these tics with obscene words and inappropriate comments. This is known as coprolalia and affects a small proportion of people with Tourette syndrome.
Ten percent have had tics at some point in their childhood, but most are transient. About 0.6–1 percent develop enough movement and vocal tics to warrant a diagnosis of Tourette syndrome. A Tourette syndrome diagnosis also requires that the tics started before the age of 18 and have been present for at least one year without any longer intermissions.
The disorder is more common in boys and is hereditary.
Tourette syndrome can be particularly challenging for children who’ve just started school. How they themselves experience the vocalizations and the movements varies. If the child also has reading and writing difficulties, it can be especially difficult to concentrate.
Most people with Tourette syndrome also meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and many for OCD. The disorder can vary greatly, from difficult periods with very many tics to other periods when they’re barely noticeable. Stress can worsen the symptoms for many sufferers.
For most people, the symptoms either decrease or disappear in adulthood. If not, many sufferers are able to control their tics to the point where others don’t notice them, and then allow them free rein at home.
Most people with the disorder can live a good and social life. Understanding from those around them is of great importance.
The disorder isn’t related to intellectual ability. There have been discussions as to whether there’s a link between Tourette syndrome and creative talent, such as in the case of Mozart.
If you have a child who has been troubled by their tics for a long time, you can seek help. It can be difficult to identify the cause of the child’s behaviour, but the earlier the child is diagnosed, the easier the disorder can be to manage as they grow up. Information and greater awareness lead to the understanding that a person with Tourette syndrome has trouble controlling their tics by free will alone.
Depending on the child’s age, you can contact your healthcare centre, the school healthcare service, child and youth psychiatric care (BUP) or your child healthcare centre. To make a diagnosis, doctors must first rule out other causes of the tics.
If the child’s tics are considered extremely disabling, professional help is available. Aside from additional support at school, medicinal treatment and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help. Family members may also need support and training to support the person affected.
Reviewed by: Eric Donell, specialist psychiatric care nurse and vice chair of Riksförbundet Attention, a special interest organization for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Last edited 2023-12-20