Español

Other Concerns and Conditions of Tourette Syndrome

Key points

  • Tourette syndrome (TS) often occurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other behavioral or conduct problems.
  • People with TS also can be at higher risk for learning, behavioral, and social problems.
  • It is important for doctors to assess every child with TS for other conditions and problems.
Boy sits at desk writing with his chin resting on his hand in a distracted way..

Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common co-occurring condition among children with TS.1 Children with ADHD have trouble paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors. They might act without thinking about what the result will be and, in some cases, they are also overly active. It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, for children with ADHD, symptoms can continue, can be severe, and cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends.

Keep Reading: Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive behaviors

People with obsessive-compulsive behaviors have unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that they feel a need to respond to (compulsions). Examples of obsessive-compulsive behaviors are having to think about, say, or do something over and over. More than a third of people with Tourette syndrome have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 234 Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between complex tics that a child with TS may have and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

Keep Reading: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children

Behavior or conduct problems

Oppositional defiant disorder

Young girl throwing tantrum on couch with mom holding her head in her hands
Children and teens with oppositional defiant disorder show negative, defiant and hostile behaviors toward adults or authority figures.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) usually starts before a child is 8 years of age, but no later than early adolescence. Children with ODD might show symptoms most often with people they know well, such as family members or a regular care provider. The behavior problems associated with ODD are more severe or persistent than what might be expected for the child's age, and result in major problems in school, at home, or with peers.

Examples of ODD behaviors include

  • Losing one's temper a lot
  • Arguing with adults or refusing to comply with adults' rules or requests
  • Getting angry or being resentful or vindictive often
  • Annoying others on purpose or easily becoming annoyed with others
  • Blaming other people often for one's own mistakes or misbehavior
Keep Reading: Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children

Conduct disorder

Children with conduct disorder (CD) act aggressive toward others and break rules, laws, and social norms. They might have more injuries and difficulty with friends. In addition, the symptoms of CD happen in more than one area in the child's life (for example, at home, in the community, and at school).

Behavior problems can be highly disruptive for the child and others in the child's life. It is important to get a diagnosis and treatment plan from a mental health professional as soon as possible. Effective treatments for disruptive behaviors include behavior therapy training for parents.

See Also: Conduct Disorder in Children

Rage

Some people with TS have anger that is out of control, or episodes of "rage." Rage that happens repeatedly and is disproportionate to the situation that triggers it may be diagnosed as a mood disorder, like intermittent explosive disorder. Symptoms might include extreme verbal or physical aggression. Examples of verbal aggression include extreme yelling, screaming, and cursing. Examples of physical aggression include extreme shoving, kicking, hitting, biting, and throwing objects. Rage symptoms are more likely to occur among those with other behavioral disorders such as ADHD, ODD, or CD.

Among people with TS, symptoms of rage are more likely to occur at home than outside the home. Treatment can include behavior therapy, learning how to relax, and social skills training. Some of these methods will help individuals and families better understand what can cause the symptoms of rage, how to avoid encouraging these behaviors, and how to use appropriate discipline for these behaviors. In addition, treating other behavioral disorders that the person might have, such as ADHD, ODD, or CD can help to reduce symptoms of rage.

See Also: Rage in Children

Anxiety

There are many different types of anxiety disorders with many different causes and symptoms. These include generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety, and different types of phobias. Separation anxiety is most common among young children. These children feel very worried when they are apart from their parents.

Keep Reading: Anxiety in Children

Depression

Everyone feels worried, anxious, sad, or stressed from time to time. However, if these feelings do not go away and they interfere with daily life (for example, keeping a child home from school or other activities, or keeping an adult from working or attending social activities), a person might have depression. Having either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure for at least two weeks might mean that someone has depression. Children and teens with depression might be irritable instead of sad.

To be diagnosed with depression, other symptoms also must be present, such as

  • Changes in eating habits or weight gain or loss
  • Changes in sleep habits
  • Changes in activity level (others notice increased activity or that the person has slowed down)
  • Less energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
  • Repeated thoughts of death
  • Thoughts or plans about suicide, or a suicide attempt

Depression can be treated with counseling and medication.

Keep Reading: Depression in Children

Other health concerns

Children with TS can also have other health conditions that require care.

Among the more common health conditions that can occur with TS are

A CDC study1 showed that the rates of asthma and hearing or vision problems were similar to children without TS, but bone, joint, or muscle problems as well as brain injury or concussion were higher for children with TS. Children with TS were also less likely to receive effective coordination of care or have a medical home, which means a primary care setting where a team of providers provides health care and preventive services.

Educational concerns

As a group, people with TS have levels of intelligence similar to those of people without TS. However, people with TS might be more likely to have learning differences, a learning disability, or a developmental delay that affects their ability to learn.

Many people with TS have problems with writing, organizing, and paying attention. People with TS might have problems processing what they hear or see. This can affect the person's ability to learn by listening to or watching a teacher. Or, the person might have problems with their other senses (such as how things feel, smell, taste, and movement) that affects learning and behavior. Children with TS might have trouble with social skills that affect their ability to interact with others.

As a result of these challenges, children with TS might need extra help in school. Many times, these concerns can be addressed with accommodations and behavioral interventions (for example, help with social skills).

Accommodations can include things such as providing a different testing location or extra testing time, providing tips on how to be more organized, giving the child less homework, or letting the child use a computer to take notes in class. Children also might need behavioral interventions, therapy, or they may need to learn strategies to help with stress, paying attention, or other symptoms.

For more information

CDC is working with the Tourette Association of America to provide information about TS and other concerns and conditions to healthcare providers, educators, and families, so that children with TS can get the best available treatment and support. To learn more about other concerns and conditions related to TS, please visit the Tourette Association website.

Print
Content Source:
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
  1. Bitsko, RH, Holbrook, JR, Visser, SN, Mink, JW, Zinner, SH, Ghandour, RM, Blumberg, SJ (2014). A National Profile of Tourette Syndrome, 2011-2012. J Dev Behav Pediatr 35(5), 317-322.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of diagnosed Tourette Syndrome in persons aged 6-17 years – United States, 2007. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2009;58(21):581–5.
  3. Kompoliti K, Goetz CG, Morrissey M, Leurgans S. Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: patient's knowledge and concern of adverse effects. Mov Disord. 2006;21(2):248–52.
  4. Freeman RD, Fast DK, Burd L, Kerbeshian J, Robertson MM, Sandor P. An international perspective on Tourette Syndrome: Selected findings from 3500 individuals in 22 countries. Devel Med Child Neurol. 2000;42(7):436–47.