Causes of Delay in the Tourette Syndrome Diagnosis

It is not uncommon for patients to obtain a formal Tourette syndrome diagnosis only after symptoms have been present for some time. There are many reasons for this. For families and physicians unfamiliar with Tourette syndrome, mild and even moderate tic symptoms may be considered inconsequential, part of a developmental phase, or the result of another condition. For example, parents may think that eye blinking is related to vision problems or that sniffing is related to seasonal allergies. Many patients are self-diagnosed after they, their parents, other relatives, or friends read or hear about Tourette syndrome from others.