Tourette's syndrome
Involuntary motor and vocal tics, often with premonitory urges.
About this condition
Tourette's syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition involving involuntary movements and sounds called tics, present for more than a year and starting in childhood. Tics are usually preceded by an uncomfortable premonitory urge, and can be suppressed briefly at the cost of rising tension. Severity fluctuates, often worsening with stress, excitement or tiredness.
Many people need no medication. Where tics cause pain, injury or serious social difficulty, behavioural therapy such as habit reversal training or exposure and response prevention is the recommended first treatment, with medication considered afterwards. Coexisting OCD, ADHD and anxiety are common and often need attention in their own right.
Treatments people usually try first
These are the treatments commonly offered in the UK for this condition. A specialist doctor will want to know which of them you have tried, and what happened.
- Habit reversal training or comprehensive behavioural intervention for tics
- Exposure and response prevention therapy
- Antipsychotic medicines such as risperidone or aripiprazole
- Clonidine, particularly where ADHD coexists
- Treatment of coexisting OCD, ADHD or anxiety
- Deep brain stimulation in rare severe cases
Could medical cannabis be appropriate?
People with this condition sometimes ask whether medical cannabis could be appropriate for them. That is a question for a specialist doctor, who will look at your diagnosis, your history and everything you have already tried before saying anything either way.
Medical cannabis is an unlicensed prescription only medicine in the UK. It is considered only where a diagnosed condition has not responded adequately to conventional treatment, and it is never a first step. We cannot tell you in advance what might be prescribed, and UK law does not allow us to describe or advertise any medicine on this website.
What we can do is assess you properly and be honest with you. If a specialist doctor does not think this route is right for you, they will say so, and they will explain why.
All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Questions about tourette's syndrome
Neurological
Other conditions in this category
YOUR NEXT STEP
Find out where you stand, free.
The eligibility check takes 30 seconds and carries no commitment. All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Check your eligibility