Managing and Living With Tourette Syndrome
The mind remains a complex organ that people have spent their entire lives trying to understand. Figuring out the complexities of the human mind has proven challenging for mental health specialists, and one such condition that remains a subject of study and treatment is Tourette syndrome. While there is currently no cure for Tourette syndrome, you can treat and minimize the symptoms with an experienced mental health service provider on your side.
What Is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder often characterized by sudden and repetitive movements and vocal sounds. These movements, also known as tics, can vary in severity, duration, location, and type as people mature. Vocal tics consist of this particular condition’s most readily recognizable symptoms.
Simple Vs. Complex Tics
There are generally two types of tics associated with this condition — simple and complex. Every person living with Tourette syndrome is different, and no two people have the same set of tics. However, knowing and understanding which style of tic you currently have will help your mental health program develop a strategy for you to cope.
Simple Tics
Simple tics often consist of sudden, brief, and repetitive movements that incorporate a limited number of muscles. These simple tics are more commonplace than complex tics but still require consistent behavioral therapy to properly treat the condition.
Complex Tics
Complex tics consist of multiple muscle groups moving in a noticeably distinct and coordinated pattern. These complex tics can either be rooted in motor functions or vocal patterns that can prove disruptive to everyday life.
Common Tic Triggers
In the United States, Tourette syndrome often first presents itself in children between the ages of two and fifteen. Since every child is different, there are different triggers for their physical and vocal tics, but there are common ones that family members can be aware of moving forward.
Different tics come with other triggers. Wearing a tight collared shirt might trigger a physical neck tic, or hearing a specific sound triggers a vocal one. Environmental triggers such as a stressful situation or setting may also exacerbate symptoms. Trying to suppress these triggers may not be feasible and individuals may try to avoid situations or places that trigger symptoms that may worsen the reaction.
Tourette Syndrome Frequently Paired With Other Conditions
People living with Tourette syndrome can often find it’s not the only mental health condition they have to deal with in their lives. Common mental health conditions can occur simultaneously within a person, and they can amplify the effects of each other. The most common co-occurring conditions with Tourette syndrome include:
ADHD
OCD
Anxiety
Learning Disabilities
Behavioral issues
Social Skills Deficiencies
Sensory Processing Issues
How to Get the Treatment You Need
Finding a behavioral health center with the necessary experienced and trained staff to help children process their Tourette syndrome treatment and learn how to manage their tics remains critical for people in Central Florida. The mental health system provides support groups and treatment programs designed to help children learn to deal with their Tourette syndrome, but you need to find the right program for you and your child. The FLOAAT Center in Gainesville, FL, can help! We use Habit Reversal Training (HRT) which is a core component of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT).
Learn more about the specific programs available to help you learn better coping skills and strategies for your Tourette syndrome. Contact our team to schedule your first appointment today!
