Facts About Tourette's and Tics

"Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that becomes evident in early childhood or adolescence. It is part of the spectrum of Tic Disorders and is characterized by motor and vocal tics. Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders are not rare. The current estimates are that 1 out of every 160 children between the ages of 5-17 in the United States has TS and that 1 out of every 100 children has TS or another Tic Disorder" (Reference: Tourette Association of America).

Eye blinking is often the first simple motor tic that may appear. Other motor tics include nose and mouth movements, facial grimace, head jerks, shoulder shrugs, arm/hand movements, abdominal tightening, leg/toe movements. Some tics remain through adulthood. Complex motor tics include touching, tapping, abnormal postures, squatting, jumping, obscene gestures, self-abusive behavior. Simple vocal tics include sound noises such as throat clearing, sniffing, and animal noises. Complex vocal tics include syllables, words, obscene words, echoing others' words, repeating one's own words. 

10 to 25% of children have tics and boys are more effected than girls. Tics will often go away with time. Tics resolve in about one third of cases and become substantially less severe in another third. In the remainder of cases, Tourette's syndrome is lifelong. It is also common for people with Tourette Syndrome to be affected by another co-occurring condition such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT)

I am trained in CBIT, the recommended treatment for Tourette's and tics. CBIT is comprised of psychoeducation, habit reversal training, functional intervention and relapse prevention. CBIT consists of three important components:
(a) Training the client to be more aware of his or her tics and the urge to tic.
(b) Training clients to do a competing behavior that is often less noticeable when they feel the urge to tic.
(c) Making changes to day to day activities in ways that can be helpful in reducing tics.

I incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion skills, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to address any unhelpful thoughts that contribute to anxiety or get in the way of the treatment process. Please call or email me for more information or to set up an appointment.