Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome
Early symptoms of Tourette syndrome are almost always noticed first in childhood, with the average age of onset between 7 and 10 years. The most common symptoms are repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.
Some of the more common tics a person with Tourette syndrome experiences include:
- Eye blinking and other vision irregularities
- Repetitive throat-clearing
- Sniffing
- Grunting sounds
- Facial grimacing
- Shoulder shrugging
- Head or shoulder jerking.
Other symptoms may include behavioral problems, such as:
Diagnosing Tourette Syndrome
A Tourette syndrome diagnosis is made after verifying that the patient has had both motor and vocal tics for at least one year. The existence of other neurological or psychiatric conditions can also help doctors arrive at a diagnosis.
It is not uncommon, however, for patients to obtain a formal diagnosis only after symptoms have been present for some time. There are many reasons for this
(see Tourette Syndrome Diagnosis.)
Treatment Options for Tourette Syndrome
Because tic symptoms do not often cause harm, the majority of people with Tourette syndrome require no medication for tic suppression. However, effective medications are available for those whose symptoms interfere with functioning. There is also medication that can be used for the treatment of behavioral conditions that can occur.
Keep in mind, however, that there is no one medication that is helpful for all people as a
Tourette syndrome treatment, nor does any medication completely eliminate symptoms of Tourette syndrome. In addition, all medications may have side effects.
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