children s health issues
Tourette Syndrome and Other Tic Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Introduction
Ticsare rapid, purposeless, repetitive but not rhythmic, involuntary movements (muscle or motor tics) or involuntary, abrupt, often repetitive sounds and/or words (vocal tics). They can be suppressed but only for a short time and only with conscious effort.Tourette syndromeis diagnosed when people have had both motor and vocal tics for more than a year. The urge to blink, grimace, jerk the head, move in some other way, or make a sound is irresistible, and the action is not voluntary. Doctors base the diagnosis on symptoms. Many tics disappear on their own, but if they are troublesome or severe, Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics and sometimes medications may help. Tics vary widely in severity, and are common among children. Many tics are mild and often are not recognized as a disorder by parents and doctors. Tics are 3 times as likely to occur in boys as in girls. Tourette syndrome is the most severe type of tic disorder and occurs in 3 to 8 of 1,000 children. Tics begin before age 18 years (typically between ages 4 years and 6 years), increase in severity to a peak at about age 10 to 12 years, and decrease during adolescence. Eventually, most tics disappear. However, in about 1% of children, tics persist into adulthood. Children with ticsmay have other disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (ADHD) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents (OCD) An Overview of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents None Learning Disorders None These disorders often interfere more with children's development and well-being than the tics. Sometimes tics first appear when children with ADHD are treated with a stimulant medication such asmethylphenidate. These children probably have an underlying tendency to develop tics. Adolescents (and adults) with ticsmay also have Depression and Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Children and Adolescents None Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents None Substance Use in Adolescents None 