How do I Choose the Best Tourette Syndrome Treatments?

Tourette syndrome is a neurological medical condition that causes involuntary vocalizations and muscle movements known as tics. Some forms of Tourette syndrome are mild and may only cause mild symptoms such as episodes of rapid blinking or muscle jerks. In more severe cases, extreme symptoms may develop, including involuntary jumping, grunting, or even barking. Tourette syndrome treatments include behavior modification and the use of prescription medications to try to lessen some of the symptoms. It is important to note that there is no treatment that will be successful for every patient, and for that reason many of the available treatment methods are used on a trial and error basis until something is found that works for the individual patient.

Most cases of Tourette syndrome present with symptoms that are mild enough that treatment is not necessary. Many pharmaceutical Tourette syndrome treatments carry risks of side effects that many find at least as difficult to cope with as the condition itself. For this reason, many doctors will not prescribe medications unless the tics are severe enough to cause a significant disruption in the life of the patient. Educating the sufferer about the condition as well as those who interact with him or her on a regular basis is among the most successful Tourette syndrome treatments.

Prescription medications are sometimes used as Tourette syndrome treatments. There are no medications specifically formulated to reduce the presence of tics, but other accompanying symptoms may be treated with prescription medications. For instance, medicines designed as anti-psychotics may help to reduce tics in some people, although these drugs may have side effects such as depression, weight gain, or loss of muscle tone. Aside from the potential side effects of these Tourette syndrome treatments, it often takes several years to find a combination of medications that actually help relieve the symptoms of the individual patient.

A group of Tourette syndrome treatments known as behavior modification are often the most successful at treating this condition. This type of treatment may involve changing some harmful habits or patterns or learning relaxation techniques, as stress often worsens the presence of the tics. Just as is the case with the use of prescription medications, the doctor and patient will have to work together to find methods that will work for the individual. In some cases, alternative treatments such as hypnosis or acupuncture may have some success, although these methods have not been very well documented.