My experience with Tourette's syndrome
My experience with this disorder has been a long journey of challenges and personal growth.
At first, the diagnosis was shocking to me and my family. Ignorance about the nature of the disease and how to deal with it was a major obstacle. The societal view of tics and involuntary actions was a source of anxiety and embarrassment in many situations.
Over time, I learned to accept this condition as a part of me and not a flaw to hide. Psychological support from family and friends played a big role in this process. In addition, behavioral and medication therapy were essential in controlling the symptoms and reducing their impact on my daily life.
Education and awareness about Tourette Syndrome have played a significant role in changing society’s perception of the disorder. By sharing my experience, I aim to reduce the stigma associated with Tourette Syndrome and encourage people with the condition to talk about their experiences and seek support.
In conclusion, my experience with Tourette Syndrome has taught me a lot about inner strength and the importance of support and understanding from those around me. It is an ongoing journey of learning and adaptation, and I am committed to continuing to spread awareness and contribute to changing the societal view of this disorder.
Causes of Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition associated with dysfunction of several areas of the brain and the neural systems connected to those areas.
This disorder involves problems in the basal ganglia, parts of the brain responsible for controlling voluntary movements.
The exact causes of Tourette syndrome are not fully known, but it is believed that an imbalance in certain neurochemicals may play a role in the development of this syndrome.
Dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine are among the most important chemicals that studies suggest may influence this condition.
As for genetics, it plays an important role in Tourette syndrome, as a genetic defect increases the likelihood of developing this syndrome.
Tourette syndrome symptoms
Symptoms appear in people with this condition in their early years, especially between the ages of three and nine. These symptoms change, sometimes becoming more severe and sometimes less severe, and motor seizures are often preceded by a feeling of extreme urgency or an unusual sensation, similar to the urge to scratch the skin in normal people.
This sensation forces sufferers to perform certain movements to relieve the psychological pressure they feel.
Symptoms vary from person to person and even vary in the same person at different times. In contrast to other movement disorders, the patient may control these movements for short periods, which leads to increased psychological stress and mental fatigue.
As people age, their condition improves, with symptoms peaking between the ages of eight and twelve, and may gradually disappear by the time they reach adolescence.
Involuntary physical movements include several types such as blinking, rolling of the eyes, moving the facial muscles, intermittent breathing, shrugging of the shoulders, jumping, spinning, constantly touching objects and people, grimacing or frowning, and shaking the head or limbs.
Vocal involuntary movements include snoring, gurgling, coughing, whistling, making animal sounds, clicking the tongue, and repeating words or phrases randomly or repeatedly.
Usually, these involuntary movements do not affect a person's general health, but physical movements such as head shaking may cause some pain.
Tourette syndrome treatment
Drug treatments for Tourette syndrome
Doctors prescribe several drug options to relieve symptoms associated with some neurological and movement disorders, including:
1. Antipsychotics: This class of drugs works by reducing dopamine activity in the brain, thereby relieving tics. Some examples of these drugs include haloperidol, aripiprazole, and risperidone. However, they may be associated with side effects such as weight gain and feeling confused.
2. Botox injections: These injections are used to improve mild cases of involuntary spasms, whether motor or vocal.
3. Stimulant medications: These medications, including methylphenidate, help relieve the symptoms of ADHD while preventing increased tics.
4. Clonidine: It is primarily used to treat blood pressure, but it also shows benefit in reducing involuntary spasms, managing anger, and enhancing impulse control.
5. Topiramate: It is useful in reducing involuntary spasms, but it may lead to some complications such as cognitive and language disorders, drowsiness, weight loss, and the formation of kidney stones.
These treatments are carefully selected according to each patient's specific condition and to suit his symptoms and personal needs.
Psychotherapy for Tourette Syndrome
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a preferred option for doctors to increase awareness of one’s thoughts and behaviors, help one cope with stress, and reduce the severity of attacks. This type of therapy plays an important role in reducing symptoms associated with Tourette syndrome, such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as problems related to hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating. To enhance its effectiveness, this therapy may be combined with other therapies, including:
– Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress.
- Resorting to hypnosis as a supportive method.
– Apply meditation practices to increase mental calm.
– Perform deep breathing exercises to improve control of emotions and physical symptoms.
Surgical treatment for Tourette syndrome
In deep brain stimulation, surgeons place a small, battery-like device inside the brain.
This device is designed to send electrical signals to the neurons that control body movement. Tiny wires implanted in specific parts of the brain can also be used to achieve the same purpose.
This method is seen as an advanced option for treating some neurological diseases that have not responded to other treatments, reflecting its development as a precise strategy for specialized medical intervention in difficult cases.
