Tourette's syndrome
If your child has tics, it doesn't necessarily mean they have Tourettes syndrome.
Children often develop Orthodontics before growing out of them after several months. These are known as transient tics.
For tics to be classified as Tourettes syndrome, they have to be present for at least a year and include at least one vocal tic.
Tics can be:
Tics can also be:
Most people diagnosed with Tourettes syndrome have a combination of physical and vocal tics, which can be both simple and complex.
Examples of simple vocal tics include:
Examples of simple physical tics include:
Examples of complex vocal tics include:
Swearing is often associated with Tourettes syndrome, but it's actually a fairly uncommon symptom affecting a minority of people with the syndrome.
Examples of complex physical tics include:
Most people with Tourettes syndrome experience uncomfortable or unusual feelings before having a tic. These feelings are known as premonitory sensations.
Premonitory sensations are only relieved after the tic has been carried out, in a similar way to how an itch can only be relieved by scratching it.
Examples of premonitory sensations include:
If your child has Tourettes syndrome, their tics will probably tend to follow a set pattern. They may be worse during periods of:
On the other hand, the tics are often reduced when they're doing an enjoyable activity involving a high level of concentration, such as reading an interesting book or playing competitive sports.
You may find your child is able to control their tics when they're in situations where they would be particularly noticeable, such as in a school classroom. However, controlling tics can be difficult and tiring over prolonged periods of time.
Many children with Tourettes syndrome often experience a sudden 'release' of tics after trying to suppress them for example, after returning home from school.
You should contact your GP if either you or your child starts experiencing tics.
Many children have tics for several months before growing out of them, so a tic doesn't necessarily mean your child has Tourette's syndrome.
However, symptoms such as tics do need to be investigated.
Tourette's syndrome is a neurological condition, characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements called tics.
If your child has tics, it does not necessarily mean that they have Tourettes syndrome.
The cause of Tourettes syndrome is unknown. However, it is thought to be linked to problems with an area of the brain known as the basal ganglia.
In diagnosing Tourettes syndrome, the first stage is to rule out other possible causes of your childs symptoms.
Behavioural therapy and medication are the main treatments for Tourette's syndrome. Rarely, in severe cases, surgery or deep brain stimulation may be used.
Tourette's syndrome is often associated with psychological and behavioural problems, as well as learning difficulties.
Joanna was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome in her 30s, and has had tics all her life. She describes what effects different medications had on her.