What is Tourette syndrome?
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder that causes vocal and motor tics. A tic is a sudden, repetitive, and involuntary sound (vocal tic) or movement (motor tic).
TS is a chronic disease that typically begins in early childhood and lasts through your adult years. However, the most severe symptoms often occur during your teens.
What types of tics develop if I have Tourette syndrome?
You may experience two types of tics:
Simple tics
A simple tic is a brief, repetitive movement. Examples include eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, throat clearing, and grunting sounds.
Complex tics
Complex motor tics involve several coordinated muscle groups. For example, you may walk in a certain pattern, twist, or bend. If you have a complex vocal tic, you repeatedly say complete words or phrases.
Complex tics also include coprolalia and echolalia. Coprolalia refers to saying socially inappropriate words, while echolalia refers to repeating the words of others.
Even though coprolalia is the best known type of Tourette symptoms, it’s not common. Only 10-15% of people with TS have coprolalia.
What other tic characteristics might I experience?
Tics often get worse if you’re anxious or excited. They also continue while you sleep, but they’re usually not as severe. Additionally, some things may trigger a tic, such as wearing a necktie or hearing another person clear their throat.
Before a motor tic occurs, you may experience an urge or sensation in the muscle group. Some people find that they must complete a tic a specific number of times or a certain way to eliminate the urge.
How is Tourette syndrome treated?
Treatment for TS focuses on relieving your symptoms. If your tics aren’t severe, you may not need treatment. Otherwise, your doctor may prescribe one of several possible medications that diminish muscle movements.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you learn to monitor and control your tics, and psychotherapy helps you to overcome comorbid disorders such as depression and OCD.
Emerging studies show that ketamine may also treat TS. Ketamine may restore communication between specific parts of the brain and normalize activity in brain areas that are hyperactive in people diagnosed with TS.
The team at Austin Ketamine Clinic evaluates your symptoms and treatment history, then talks with you about the potential benefits of ketamine for your TS.
If they decide you’re a good candidate, and you choose to have ketamine, they schedule a series of six treatments and administer the medication through an intravenous infusion.
If you struggle with TS, call Austin Ketamine Clinic or schedule a complimentary consultation online.
