Tourettes Syndrome

TOURETTE Syndrome is all about people involuntarily swearing or shouting inappropriate things, right? Wrong.

The truth is, only a minority of people with Tourettes swear involuntarily – the vast majority of sufferers don’t do this.

Emma McNally, CEO of Tourettes Action (tourettes-action.org.uk) says: “Tourettes is still a very misunderstood condition. It’s one of the least known neuro conditions, with many people thinking it’s rare, and that swearing is a criteria for diagnosis – both of which are untrue. This misunderstanding often brings a stigma and makes people with the condition feel isolated.”

Here’s are a few things you may not know about Tourettes...

IT’S RARE TO SWEAR

Contrary to popular belief, a massive 90% of people with Tourettes don’t have coprolalia – the clinical term for involuntary swearing.

TICS ARE THE MAJOR PROBLEM

These usually start at around the age of six or seven years, and Tourettes Action says they can occur in any part of the body and can even be internal. Tics usually come and go, and can be influenced by things like stress, excitement and relaxation. They must be experienced for at least a year for someone to be diagnosed with Tourettes.

CO-OCCURRING CONDITIONS ARE VERY COMMON

Up to 85% of people with Tourettes will also have conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), and/or anxiety.

IT RUNS IN FAMILIES

Although tics often run in families, Tourettes Action says there’s not a single gene that causes Tourettes.

THERE’S A LINK TO ALCOHOL AND CANNABIS USE IN PREGNANCY

Studies suggest a pregnant mother using alcohol and cannabis, and inadequate maternal weight gain during pregnancy, could be associated with the condition.

THERE ARE TREATMENTS BUT NO CURE

Although Tourettes is incurable, there are treatments to help manage tics, including behavioural therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy, medication, and other approaches that aren’t yet backed up by science, such as diet, exercise, and complementary therapies.

Tourettes Action says neurosurgery called deep brain stimulation (DBS) is also being trialled for severe Tourettes cases, although it’s not yet clear whether this will become an available treatment option.