Tourette syndrome (TS) is named for the French doctor Georges Gilles de la Tourette, who first described the condition in 1885. Tourette syndrome is also called Tourette's disorder, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Tourette's was once considered a rare and bizarre syndrome. The males are affected about three to four times more often than females. Tourette's is a rare condition. People with Tourette's have normal life expectancy and intelligence. The symptoms of TS generally appear before the age of 18, with the median age of onset being 7 years of age. This will occur between the age group of 7 and 10 years.

The exact mechanism affecting the inherited vulnerability has not been established, and the precise etiology of Tourette syndrome is not known. Tourette's Syndrome expanded to include other conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, non-OCD anxiety disorders, Executive Dysfunction, depression, Bipolar Disorder, autism spectrum disorders including Asperger's Disorder, 'rage attacks,' sensory integration issues, and sleep disorders. Tourette syndrome can be a chronic condition with symptoms lasting a lifetime.

Symptoms of Tourette syndrome

vision irregularities

shoulder

shrugging

tension build

Diagnosis of Tourette syndrome

The diagnosis of Tourette syndrome is done by the doctors make after verifying that the patient has had both motor and vocal tics for at least 1 year. The existence of other neurological or psychiatric conditions. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), and electroencephalogram (EEG) scans, or certain blood tests may be used to rule out other conditions that might be confused with Tourette syndrome. The neurologist may ask you to keep track of the frequency and kinds of tics your child is having.

Treament for Tourette syndrome

The majority of people with TS require no medication for tic suppression.

Neuroleptics are the most consistently useful medications for tic suppression; a number are available but some are more effective than others (for example, haloperidol and pimozide).

Assure an adequate duration of any drug trial on sufficient dosage. An adequate length of drug trial may be difficult for the clinician who is faced with his patient's urgent need for effective symptom control. However, it is important since premature discontinuation of a medication trial will only result in failure and a series of such "failures" will make the patient feel that he or she is incurable.

Benzodiazopenes and clonidine have also been shown to work to a degree on TS symptoms but they are generally less effective than other drugs.

Psychotherapy may be used for the treatment of Tourette syndrome.

Creative activities such as writing, painting, or making music help focus the mind on other things - and they help it develop. There's speculation that composer Mozart and British writer Samuel Johnson both had TS.