Tics and Tourette's syndrome: basic facts for patients Today's post can help you a lot if you have tics and you don't know the cause. I have a voice tick in the middle of the story, I raise my voice and it sounds ugly sometimes and I met people laughing at me and I don't do that tick in a controlled way while I'm talking. I didn't know what the problem was, so I turned to a speech therapist to see what the problem was and there I learned what tics are and why they appear to us, so I decided to share this useful information with you.

What are ticks? Tics are movements that the patient cannot always control. There is usually an urge or need to make a movement and then a sense of relief after the movement is made. Sometimes it moves they can stop for a short time. Ticks can be: • Sudden, fast • They can be repetitive and stereotypical (the same every time) • Pointless or arrhythmic • Simple or complex Simple tics occur suddenly and usually last for weeks or months. The most common simple motor tics are: blinking, raising eyebrows, shrugging, turning or twitching of the head and neck. Frequent free vocal (voice) tics are: throat clearing, coughing, snoring and yawning. Complex motor tics involve some more complex movements such as are: grimacing, knocking, specific patterns of walking or bypassing, jumping, kicking, or punching. Complex vocal tics include: dropping numerous sounds, repeating syllables, words or phrase (echolalia), sometimes but rarely pronounced socially unacceptable words or phrases (coprolalia). What is Tourette's syndrome? Tourette's syndrome (TS) or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome Tourette syndrome) is a disorder that usually begins between the fourth and sixth year and is most pronounced between the tenth and twelfth years. Per by definition ticks must begin before the age of 18. TS is a much more common code male than female. Patients with TS have a combination motor and vocal tics that are simple or complex and must last for more than a year. Behavioral problems such as anxiety and obsessive compulsive behavior. What causes tics and TS? The cause of tics and TS is unknown. Ticks and TS are often hereditary, which means that they occur in more than one family member. Are all tics Tourette's syndrome? Not all people with TS tics. Diagnosis of TS requires the existence of more than one tic, including a vocal tic, in duration longer than one year. Ticks are common, one in five children may have tics at some point, while TS occurs less frequently. Is there a therapy? Often tic therapy is not needed. Motor tic therapy, vocal tics and TS depends on whether the tics affect the patient and whether they disrupt the social and emotional spheres of life. If tics don't disturb the patient and if they do not interfere with the patient's activities, then only support and education may be needed. Educating people around the patient can increase understanding and reduce social stigma. Doctors, psychologists and social workers should be involved. Family members and teachers must learn that tics are reluctant to better understand the diagnosis and avoid reduction self-confidence of the child. Patients should discuss therapy with their doctor if ticks: • They cause significant stress • Affect everyday life or school • Cause social isolation, bullying or depression. Comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics-CBIT) is one of the therapy used for TS. CBIT focuses on awareness training and developing strategies that suppress the urge to tick. If behavioral therapy is not sufficient, some medications may be used help. Medications can cause side effects due to which patients must be in constant contact with the doctor. Drugs that are used are: clonidine and guanfacine, clonazepam or others anxiolytics (especially if the patient has anxiety), and antipsychotics (side effects must be considered). Additionally, for patients who do not respond to drug therapy may consider deep brain stimulation. Why Tourette's syndrome is considered neuropsychiatric disorder? Neuropsychiatric disorders are neurological disorders that affect of behavior. More than 50% of patients with TS have the disorder behaviors such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder- ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- OCD). Patients can, also, have depression, impulsive behavior, personality disorder, intentional self-harm and sleep disorders. Treat these Disorders may exist, so talk to your doctor. What can a patient expect when he lives with tics or TS? Tics are often transient. Ticks and TS tend to disappear with aging and in many cases disappear completely in adulthood age. I hope I helped you now you know a little more about tics.