Tourette's syndrome is a disorder that causes suffererhisdo tic, i.e. movement or repeated speechout of control.This condition usually starting at age 2-15 years and more general occurs in boys than girls.
tic It is common in children, but does not normally last more than 1 year. However, in children with Tourette's syndrome, tic lasts more than 1 year and manifests in a variety of behaviors.
Tourette's syndrome generally improves with age. However, sufferers may need to take medication for other conditions that co-occur with Tourette's syndrome.
Causes of Tourette's Syndrome
Until now, the exact cause of Tourette's syndrome is still unknown. However, it is suspected that Tourette's syndrome is related to the following:
- Gene disorders that are passed down from parents
- Abnormalities in brain chemistry (neurotransmitter) and on the structure or function of the basal ganglia, the part of the brain that controls body movement
- Disturbances experienced by the mother during pregnancy or during childbirth, such as stress during pregnancy, a prolonged labor process, or a baby born with a birth weight that is below normal
Tourette's Syndrome Risk Factors
Although the cause is unknown, there are a number of factors that can increase a child's risk of developing Tourette's syndrome, including:
- Male sex, with 3-4 times higher risk than female
- Have a history of Tourette's syndrome or other disorders tic more in the family
Symptoms of Tourette's Syndrome
A common symptom of Tourette's syndrome is repetitive, out-of-control movements known as tic. tic can be classified into several types, namely:
motor tics
motor tics characterized by the same movement over and over again. motor tics may involve only certain muscle groupssimple ticks), or several muscles at once (complex tics).
Some of the moves included in simple motor tics is:
- Wink
- Nodding or shaking head
- Shrug
- Move your mouth
While on complex motor tics, sufferers generally repeat movements, such as:
- Touching or kissing an object
- Imitating the movement of an object
- Bend or twist
- Stepping in a certain pattern
- Jump
Vocal tics
Vocal tics characterized by making a repeating sound. Same as motor tics, vocal tics can also occur in the form of simple ticks nor complex tics.
Some examples of simple vocal tics is:
- Cough
- clearing
- Sounds like an animal, like barking
While on complex vocal tics, the symptoms that appear include:
- Repeating one's own words (palilalia)
- Repeating other people's wordsechophenomena)
- Saying harsh and vulgar words (koprolalia)
Before symptoms motor tics or vocal tics appears, the sufferer may experience certain sensations in the body, such as itching, tingling, or tension. The sensation will disappear after tic appear.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult a doctor if your child shows symptoms or signs tics. However, it should be noted that tics not always indicative of Tourette's syndrome. Not a few children show tics, but goes away on its own after a few weeks or months.
Tourette's Syndrome Diagnosis
Tourette's syndrome is diagnosed by examining the patient's history of symptoms. Some of the criteria used to diagnose this syndrome are:
- Tics starting before the age of 18
- Tics not caused by drugs, substances, or other medical conditions
- Tics experienced several times a day, almost daily or intermittently, and has occurred for more than 1 year
- Patients experiencing motorcycle and vocal tics, although not always at the same time
Need to know, symptoms tics Tourette's syndrome can also be caused by other conditions. To rule out this possibility, the doctor will run blood tests and scans, such as an MRI.
Tourette's Syndrome Treatment
Tourette's syndrome with mild symptoms generally does not require treatment. But if the symptoms experienced are severe, interfere with activities, or endanger themselves, there are several treatment methods that can be done, namely:
Psychotherapy
The type of psychotherapy that can be used to treat Tourette's syndrome is cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy aims to train the patient's awareness of his surroundings and exercise control of movement.
In addition, this therapy can also treat other conditions associated with Tourette's syndrome, such as ADHD and OCD.obsessive compulsive disorder). In psychotherapy sessions, the therapist may also use assistive methods such as hypnosis, meditation, and breathing or relaxation techniques.
Drugs
Medications are used to relieve symptoms tics. Some types of drugs that can be prescribed by a doctor are:
- Antipsychotic drugs, such as risperidone, fluphenazine, and haloperidol
- Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine
- Botulinum toxin (botox) injection
- Anticonvulsant drugs, such as topiramate
DBS (deep brain stimulation)
Deep brain stimulation is the implantation of electrodes into the patient's brain, to stimulate brain reactions. DBS is only recommended for people with Tourette's syndrome with severe symptoms that cannot be treated with other therapies.
In rare cases, children with Tourette's syndrome who receive DBS therapy may experience speech disturbances, numbness, and bleeding. Therefore, first discuss with your doctor about the benefits and risks that may occur as a result of DBS therapy.
Support for Tourette's Syndrome Patients
People with Tourette syndrome generally have problems interacting with other people. This condition can also interfere with the patient's confidence. As a result, people with Tourette syndrome are more susceptible to stress, depression, and drug abuse.
If you have a child with Tourette syndrome, there are several things you can do:
- Try to always get accurate information about Tourette's syndrome.
- Cultivate the child's self-confidence, for example by supporting the activities he chooses and supporting him to play with his friends.
- Place the child in a small learning environment or private lessons, so that they can develop better.
- Join a support group (support group) according to the child's needs.
Remember that tic will reach its peak when the sufferer reaches adolescence, but the condition may improve with age.
Complications of Tourette's Syndrome
In most cases, people with Tourette's Syndrome also have one or more specific conditions. However, it is not known why these conditions appear in people with Tourette's syndrome. These conditions are:
- Behavioral disorders, experienced by 8 out of 10 children with Tourette's syndrome
- ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), experienced by 6 out of 10 children with Tourette's syndrome
- OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) or OCB (obsessive-compulsive behavior), which occurs in 6 out of 10 children with Tourette's syndrome
- Learning disorders, which occur in 3 out of 10 children with Tourette's syndrome
- Self-injurious behavior, experienced by 3 out of 10 children with Tourette's syndrome
- Disturbance mood, such as depression or anxiety disorders, experienced by 2 in 10 children with Tourette's syndrome
- conduct disorder (conduct disorder), which affects 1–2 out of 10 children with Tourette's syndrome
Tourette's Syndrome Prevention
As explained above, it is not known exactly what causes Tourette's syndrome. Therefore, it is not yet known how to prevent this disease. However, early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of Tourette's syndrome getting worse.