Subclassifications of Tourette Syndrome

In the United States, it is believed that well over 100,000 individuals suffer from a disorder known as Tourette syndrome. For many patients, the complications of Tourette syndrome are so mild that the condition is often misdiagnosed or under diagnosed.

When suffering from Tourette syndrome, the most common trait is the physical movement known as a "tic". A "tic" is an involuntary movement in which the brain may send a message to a specific muscle group, resulting in movement and irregular sound patterns.

The "tics" of Tourette syndrome may be vocal, impacting speech, or motor, impacting other muscle groups in the body. In most cases, the individual who experiences vocal tics, in Tourette syndrome, is the most noticeable as the vocal tic is often an abnormal sound, can be quite loud, and may even appear as screaming or hissing, leaving the individuals subjected to criticism in the general public.

In addition to classification by type, such as vocal or motor, the "tics" associated with Tourette syndrome may also be classified as simple or complex tics. When diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, by a healthcare professional, the diagnosing of complex tics versus simple tics is important to ascertain what type of treatment may be appropriate for the individual who suffers from Tourette syndrome.

Because tics, of any classification, will worsen with age, many parents will seek out the medical and psychological treatment for children with Tourette syndrome early in their childhood. Because stress adds to the complications of Tourette syndrome, it is important to teach a child how to manage stress, and associated psychological disorders, before they reach adolescence.

Controlling tics with a proper diet may be as simple as avoiding caffeine or other products that stimulate the nervous system while also teaching your child how to gain proper exercise each day. Because Tourette syndrome is a physical disorder, children will need to learn to practice healthy eating and exercise habits from the time they are diagnosed with the complication.