Understanding Tourette Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options
Tourette syndrome is a disorder that causes someone to uncontrollably and repeatedly produce certain sounds or perform certain movements. These are known as “tics.”
What Causes Tourette Syndrome?
Researchers are still working to determine exactly what causes Tourette syndrome. With that said, studies suggest that this disorder may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Males are more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome, and someone with a family history of the disorder may also have a higher risk of experiencing it.
What Are the Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome?
As was noted above, Tourette syndrome causes someone to experience tics. These tics can be vocal tics (e.g., grunting, coughing, or saying offensive words or phrases) or motor tics (e.g., blinking, twitching, shrugging, or hopping). Tics often develop during childhood and early adolescence, and they tend to become more controllable in adulthood.
How Is Tourette Syndrome Treated?
While there’s currently no cure for Tourette syndrome, treatment can help manage symptoms. Treatment for this disorder often involves taking medication and attending therapy.
For More Information
If you think that you or a loved one might have Tourette syndrome and you’d like to know more about the condition, we invite you to reach out to one of the skilled therapists on our team. We have extensive experience working with individuals with this disorder, and we would love the opportunity to assist you. Contact us today and let us know a date and time when you’ll be available for an initial consultation.