Treatment Of Tourette’s Syndrome

Treatment of Tourette’s syndrome is not a common topic, as this neurological disorder affects 1 in 100 people. It is characterized by tics (short-term involuntary muscle contractions) that develop into repetitive movements or unwanted sounds.

This disease has a major impact on the lives of those who suffer from it, and affects both social and occupational aspects. Unfortunately, no cure exists at this time. However, there are various approaches that can improve the situation. We explain them to you in the sections below.

What is Tourette’s Syndrome?

Tourette’s syndrome consists, as we have just mentioned, of involuntary movements or sounds that are uncontrollable. In most cases, this pathology begins to manifest itself in childhood or adolescence, before the age of 15.

The cause of this disorder is unknown, but experts believe that both genetic and environmental factors play a role. In fact, it is more common in people who have a family history, as it more often affects men than women.

Tics are movements or sudden and short sounds and fall into two categories : simple or complex. The first are those that involve small muscle groups, such as blinking. On the other hand, complex tics include several muscle groups.

Many identify Tourette’s syndrome as the pathology that causes swearing or insults at inappropriate and uncontrolled times. However, the manifestations can vary greatly and do not necessarily include this symptom.

Medical treatment for Tourette’s syndrome

Many people need no treatment for this pathology. This is because in some cases the symptoms are mild and do not affect daily life. However , they can also be inhibitory, and there are therefore various forms of relief for tics. One of them is using medication.

A review article published in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, are involved in the development of this pathology. Therefore, medical treatment for Tourette’s syndrome involves drugs that block or reduce dopamine.

For example, doctors prescribe haloperidol and risperidone. On the one hand, it seems that these medications help reduce tics. However, they pose a high risk of side effects, such as weight gain.

Another option is to inject botox into the muscle that generates tics. Research is also currently underway on the use of medicines for seizures, such as topiramate.

At the same time, it is important to emphasize that Tourette’s syndrome usually coexists with other pathologies. Some of these include anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therefore, doctors often prescribe antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications to relieve these symptoms.

Behavioral therapy as a treatment for Tourette’s syndrome

Behavioral therapy is a type of psychological therapy that aims to retrain patients to learn to control their tics. The idea is that when the patient identifies the signs that appear before the involuntary movements, they can produce a different response that counteracts them.

This type of therapy consists of different strategies. While it is certain that it helps reduce the number and severity of tics, it is not a definitive cure for Tourettes. In addition, it is not effective for all people.

Habit reversal therapy

One of the techniques in behavior therapy is reversing habits. According to a study published by the Universidad Miguel Hernández  , it has the ability to effectively treat Tourette’s syndrome without requiring medication.

This method consists of different stages and involves increased awareness of tics to identify them. From there , the individual learns to produce a response that is incompatible with the tics.

For example, let’s say the tics consist of touching the head with the hands. So the first step would be to become aware of this movement and when it is going to happen. Then the new behavior will be to place your hands elsewhere, such as on your knees, to avoid making the movement.

Holistic interventions for tics (CBIT)

Another type of behavioral therapy for treating Tourette’s syndrome is CBIT. In this case, it includes habit reversal, relaxation and education regarding one’s own tics to reduce the symptoms of the disorder.

This type of strategy is not only aimed at patients, but also involves other people in the environment to strengthen the improvement. For example, if a boy goes to school, the treatment will also involve the boy’s teachers.

What to keep in mind regarding the treatment of Tourette’s syndrome

Treatment of Tourette’s syndrome is complex and the disease has a major impact on those who suffer from it. Although there is no cure for this pathology, there are various strategies to improve the symptoms.

Behavioral therapy is a promising treatment to improve the quality of life of these people without the use of medication . It is very important to emphasize that psychological support is important when it comes to dealing with this pathology.