Overview
The Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorder Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a multidisciplinary clinic that specializes in evaluating, diagnosing and treating kids, adolescents and adults with Tourette's Syndrome symptoms, including tics, hyperactivity, attention deficits, obsessive compulsive behaviors and other symptoms of Tourette Syndrome.
Tics are repetitive behaviors that occur involuntarily or semi-voluntarily. They can occur in typically developing children or in children with a variety of neurological, developmental, or psychiatric conditions. Occasionally, tics may be induced by taking certain medications. Tics often emerge or increase related to stress at home or school. Tics may be transient (“Transient Tic Disorder”), or they may occur in a variety of long term conditions including Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD), and Autism Spectrum Disorders. The diagnosis of a tic disorder requires expertise, as misdiagnoses sometime occur.
Tourette Syndrome is a brain-based disorder which starts in childhood and in which tics are present, usually daily. It may be diagnosed after tics have been present for more than one year have This condition is often inherited, with similar tic or related OCD symptoms occurring in other family members.
Persons with Tourette Syndrome may have difficulties with self-esteem, family life, peer relations, and school or work performance. In some cases, severe tics may be extremely disruptive, self injurious, or destructive. Many persons with Tourette Syndrome also have problems with attention, learning, worries, and regulation of emotion. It is common for persons with Tourette Syndrome or their family members to also show signs of, or meet full criteria for, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
