Singer Billie Elish, 20, spoke in an interview with David Letterman for his Netflix series about living with Tourette Syndrome.
The condition associated with neurological and mental health is a neurodevelopmental disorder that becomes evident in early childhood or adolescence. Symptoms include involuntary motor and vocal movements, which may be transient or persist into adolescence and adulthood.
The cases can also be associated with other conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
While there is no cure for Tourette Syndrome, available treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.
Symptoms and diagnosis
According to the Tourette Association of America, there are no tests to confirm the diagnosis of involuntary movement disorders, which include the syndrome. However, in some cases, tests may be necessary to rule out other medical conditions.
“Imaging and functional tests, such as resonance and electroencephalogram, need to be performed to rule out other health problems that could mimic the condition, such as epilepsy or structural lesions, such as a brain tumor or hydrocephalus, for example,” says neurosurgeon and neuroscientist Fernando Gomes. , from Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo.
Regarding Tourette’s Syndrome, patients must have at least two involuntary movements and at least one vocal tic , not necessarily at the same time. Also, these symptoms may wax and wane in frequency, but must occur more than 1 year ago . Finally, tics must have started to appear before age 18 . Involuntary movements caused by substances or other medical conditions exclude a diagnosis of Tourette.
“The diagnosis is clinical, there is no complementary exam that makes the diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome. From the presence of these symptoms, motor tics plus vocal tics, for more than a year and which began before the age of 18, the diagnosis is made”, explains neurologist Christiane Cobas, from Hospital Sírio-Libanês, in São Paulo. Paul.
The causes of Tourette Syndrome remain unknown. Cases can happen in more than one person in the same family, which indicates that genetic factors are involved in the development. Although environmental and developmental factors may contribute to the syndrome, no specific agent or event has been identified by the medical community as a central cause.
“Symptoms can evolve into situations of coprolalia, that is, when the person uses bad words or inappropriate terms, or even obscene gestures. All this in an involuntary way, which can bring anxiety and embarrassment”, explains Gomes.
Treatment
The symptoms of Tourette Syndrome can lead to psychological and social impairment in patients. In order to reduce the stigma about the disease, experts recommend raising awareness of both the patient and people they know about what the syndrome is.
When tics start to interfere with daily routine, such as school or work activities, treatment can be indicated through psychotherapy and medication.
Neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes explains that the choice of approach varies according to the clinical picture and profile of each patient.
“Treatment is based on psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and also with the use of medication, such as antipsychotics. People can lead normal lives, so it is important to do early recognition and seek specialist medical treatment,” she says.
Source: CNN Brasil
