Conditions
Tourette’s Syndrome
When most people think of Tourette’s syndrome they most probably think of a person rolling off streams of expletives, so you might be surprised to learn that swearing isn’t a particularly common trait amongst those suffering from tourette’s syndrome. The form of tourette’s that sees the sufferer swear uncontrollably (a complex phonic tic) is actually the rarest form of Tourette’s syndrome known as Coprolalia. More commonly someone with tourette’s will suffer from verbal and physical tics which generally take the shape of head jerks, blinking, teeth grinding, eye rolling, and neck twisting as well as grunts, squeaks, coughs, blowing and screaming. Sufferers tend to find that their symptoms become worse when they are stressed, anxious, ill, tired, nervous or excited and ease off when they are involved and concentrating on an activity such as reading or playing sport. Some people suffering from muscle spasms and tics may often suspect tourette’s when actually a condition called dystonia is to blame. The cause isn’t known but research suggests a link with a group of specialised brain cells called the basal gangalia which are involved with motor function, emotion and learning. Treatments are available to control symptoms, with most sufferers finding a combination of behaviour therapy and medication working best.
For more information about Tourette’s Syndrome:
Tourette’s Syndrome
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Hi, I am 21 and have had possibly every one of the symptoms of Tourettes over time as far back as I can remember. Each symptom has come and gone over the years from facial tics, muscular tics/stretches, coughs/grunts, blowing on my hands etc. At times the tics have been bad and sometimes I have come out from an 'attack' breathless but then other times I have gone days maybe a week without noticing them. I find that when I am physically active the tics tend to be minimal or smaller in severity and frequency, this may be a reason I live an active lifestyle training almost everyday. In contrast to this, extended periods of sitting still tend to aggravate the symptoms (long classes/ lectures). I have never found that it disturbs my day-to-day life as when I need to concentrate the symptoms never occur dramatically (sports for example, maybe a minor tic).I found that over the years my symptoms have lessened, worst when I was young and going through puberty, yet still preside depending on my current situations (stress, excitement, anxious etc.). It is not something that worries me now, but before when I was unaware of others with my symptoms it did make me self-conscious. Now it just makes a good laugh for my mates which doesn't bother me one bit!
hi my name is Kerri. i was just wondering. i know this sounds mean, but can you not get like a neck brace cushion sort of thing so when your head jurks forward it wont hurt as much???
HI I am a 22 year old female and I have been suffering from tics since I was about 7 years old. At first it was server head shaking like I was having a fit an did would always get them when I had a headache and then I started doing it all the time. My mum and dad just passed it off as nothing and told me to stop. As I got older the doctors said it would stop, it did calm down but for the last couple of years it has been back and worse than ever. As well as shaking my head I hit my stomach which I am now worried I have damaged my insides and will not be able to have children)I I stretch my arms and legs until I get a pain and a try n stretch my back, my body won't stop doing it until I get this pain which is like a sense of relief that I can't describe. I have been to the doctors, had an MRI scan and they have just diagnosed me with complex tick disorder which there is really no solution or medication for. I am down and depressed about this all the time and if someone could help or advise me with a way of dealing with this I would be more than grateful. thank you!
my nethew suffers with body spasms which vary from tensing his arms above his head and hes always uncontrollably brushing his hands across his face. When doing this his full body shakes. could you please suggest what i could do to get help for him.
hi i have recently been to the doctors about these strange noises i make and i cant stop them, i do it so much i make myself out of breath and it stresses me out because i cant stop doing it, the noises are from my throat and it sounds like wimpering and snorting but snorting outwards rather than breathing in, and i force my breath out in short breaths i also cant stop tensing muscles all over my body like toes and calfs and back, arms, my doctor told me he thought it was touretts/tics and prescribed me some pills for it but it doesnt seem to be doing anything, i suffered from anxiety really bad last year for about 2 years but now i progressed this habbit, is there any way i can stop myself from doing this or help to stop doing it as much??, its starting to take over my life i just cant stop it, PLEASE HELP :'(
I am 16 years old and have had tics for the past 8 or so years, I dont have any vocal tics but have alot of motor tics especially facial ones. My dad also has them and has had them since he was a child. I have had 1 consultation with a neurologist in the past and they have said about the medication available but said about the side affects they can cause. They cause me alot of pain and discomfort and by the end of the day by body aches all over. They become worse if I am watching the telly or playing a games console, sometimes to the extent that I have to stop what I'm doing because it hurts so much. I understand that there isnt a known cure for it but I would really like to know if anything can be done to try and ease the pain. Thank you
I'm 16 and have had several motor and vocal tics since the age of 8, which are really hard to control and others avoid me as a result. The worst ones are violent head jerking which can cause a lot of pain in the back of my head/neck and making kind of squeaky/ grunting noises; which I don't realise I'm doing until someone points it out. The feeling just builds up then suddenly releases, which only gives temporary relief before it starts again. I think O.C.D. is also there as I always have this paranoid feeling that something bad will happen if I don't do certain things like check the contents of my bag 5 times before going to bed or aligning my work/ pencil case so they're parallel and in size order. I re-read this message 7 times before posting to be absolutely certain that there are no errors. Has anyone tried hypnotherapy to cure tics? I think I might try it and see if it helps before seeing a doctor. If not, would an official diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome or O.C.D. affect my chances of becoming a surgeon?
Hi there, I searched for tourette and saw your message and am happy to write a reply. Firstly, I am 38 years old and I have tourettes syndrome. I was diagnosed at age 20 at the National Hospital for Neurology in Queen Square, London (Your GP can refer you). For a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, your symptoms must have been present for more than a year, start before age 21 and you would need to have motor tics and vocal tics to be present for a diagnosis. There is no cure, no one knows exactly where tourettes comes from, its more common in boys, but there are drugs like haloperidol, sulpiride etc. to control symptoms if they are very bad. I dont advise taking medication for tourettes as it upsets brain chemicals and in my experience the side effects arent very nice. My consultant told me to only take the medication if the symptoms interfere with my job. I dont take any medication. I also have OCD and ADHD - these conditions are often present with tourettes sufferers. Symptoms do wax and wane over time and as I have got older they are not so severe. Do go to your doctor for a chat and if you would like a diagnosis, a neurologist would be the best specialist to see for this. Dont stay alone, dont put up with abuse anywhere and remember, you are perfectly normal. You will have a normal lifespan and you can do anything you want. Be strong and remember - you arent any different from anybody else, you simply may have a rare neurological condition. Regarding your career choice: Don't worry! There is a famous surgeon in the USA who has tourettes, and........ I am an accident and emergency nurse at a London Hospital and yes, I do use needles and take bloods etc., and I'm probably more accurate than most, because my concentration when doing these skills is amazing! Good Luck! Matt.
I am 56 -- been doing a nervous cough for 4-5 yrs. It seems to stop if I have no anxiety with work or personal issues. I am on Celexa and I JUST started Klonopin after telling the Psyc that it has gotten worse. It's a clearing throat / cough that sometimes goes on daily. I can barely do a normal phone chat. My Psyc only gave me .05 Klonopin daily and I do 40 mg of Celexa daily. TWO Klonopin work MUCH better I noticed but then I run out of the Klonopin in say 20 days. I am not sure it is Terrets. However I need a better pill or good advice on this. Thanks -- Bruce
Hi i'm 15 and a few months ago I started having minor tics and then they suddenly became pretty severe. I would have these episodes where my tourettes would be uncontrolable about once a week and i would have to sit on my bed and wait the tics out. I have recently been diagnosed with: Tourette Syndrome, Obsesive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), High anxiety and last but not least Depression. My depression was bad enough to have me hospitalised twice (the most recent time i got out a few days ago)I am on pretty strong meds for my Depression and have to take 11 tablets a day for various things and on the really bad days 12. I am too ill to be out and about with people as they set off all of the above problems so my school is going down the drain. But the worst thing I have to deal with at the moment is my OCD symptoms causing me to be unable to touch or be touched by my family even though in this tough time all I want is a hug of my mum. Oh my goodness this is a long comment. Sorry and well done to anyone who managed to read to the end! x
I have different issues to you but i am a bit older and stuck on the sick as i similarly can't be around people, I wish i could say well this is how it is fixed. But honestly, pretty soon the system will forget you exist and you will have to work it all out for yourself, either push yourself past the little things or soon the nhs will give up on you. You do not want to be stuck in your room for 3 years. The novelty wears off fast.
hi i have twins boys they are 5, wyatt has had this habit of clearing his throat all time and snorting with his nose thought it might be something to do with his tonsils or something was referred to ent and they said his tonsils ok just got alot of mucus in nose gave a spray not done anything he still making the noise they said it habit now sam is starting sniffing all time and coughing even tho he hasnt got a cough they do it alot through out the day it im wondering if it some sort of tourettes if anyone could give advice thanks
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