Treatment for Tic Disorders and Tourette’s in LA
Tic disorders refer to uncontrollable, repetitive, and unwanted muscle movement in any part of the body. Tics are of two main types: motor tics and vocal tics. Motor tics involve muscle movement whereas vocal tics are involuntary, repetitive sounds like sniffing, throat clearing, or grunting.
According to the National Health Service, tics generally start during childhood and are more prevalent in men. Most cases are temporary and are resolved within a year. Some cases may develop into a chronic disorder such as Tourette’s syndrome.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry estimates around 10% of children to be affected by provisional tic or transient tic disorders during their school years. Tics that occur before a child turns 18 or persists for more than a year are classified as chronic tic disorders. The earlier the onset of a tic disorder, the higher will be the chances of recovery.
Tourette’s syndrome involves a combination of vocal and motor tics and is an uncommon disorder. TS is also classified as a complex neurological disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), affects around 0.3% of kids aged 6-17 in the U.S. Aside from vocal and motor tics, tic disorders are further divided into simple and complex tics. Simple tics affect a few muscle groups. Examples include throat clearing, eye darting, and nose twitching.
Complex tics affect several muscle groups. Examples include gesturing, hopping, or repeating certain phrases or words. Fortunately, some treatments help control the symptoms and reduce their frequency. These include habit reversal therapy and exposure and response prevention (ERP).
Other effective treatment options include medications such as Botox injections, muscle relaxants, and anti-seizure drugs. Patients that don’t respond positively to other treatments can benefit from Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) that uses electrical impulses to reduce tics.
Dr.Farzin Pedouim is a board certified neurologist based in Huntington Beach and Los Angeles. He utilizes all the above-mentioned treatments to improve the quality of life for those suffering from tic disorders or Tourette’s syndrome.