Characterised by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalisations known as tics, Tourette Syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder that affects roughly over 300,000 children and adults in the UK (Anderson et al, 2024). However, the consequences of Tourette Syndrome on the daily lives of children and adolescents have been insufficiently investigated (Atkinson-Clement, 2022).
The exact cause of Tourette Syndrome is not fully understood but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors (Mayo Clinic, 2024) as well as brain structure and function. Tourette Syndrome is often misunderstood as a condition which makes people swear or say socially inappropriate things (Tourettes Action, 2024). This tic is known as coprolalia and is only present in approximately 10% of young people diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (Cavanna and Rickards, 2013).
Living with Tourette Syndrome can impact the lives of those living with the condition and those around them (Tourettes Action, 2024). The visible nature of tics can lead to stigma, embarrassment, anxiety, or depression related to their symptoms (Piedad and Cavanna, 2016; Malli et al 2016). Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for people living with Tourette Syndrome is managing the reactions of others (Anderson et al, 2024).
This Tourette Awareness Day (7 June) we encourage you to explore the FREE learning opportunities available on our website, and to share with your networks.
Together we can work towards ‘sharing best evidence, improving practice’ to highlight the impact Tourette’s can have on those with the condition and those around them and to challenge misconceptions.
Resources
Topic Guide
Podcasts
- NEW Podcast ‘Ready for Change? The Changing Picture of Tourette Syndrome in the UK’ with Dr. Seonaid Anderson and  Dr. Maddie Groom, Dr. Holan Liang, Dr. Camilla Babbage, Emma McNally, and Dr. Andrew Curran
- NEW Podcast ‘Understanding Tic Disorders: A Round Table on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research’ with Dr. Seonaid Anderson and Dr. Charlotte Hall, Dr. Tammy Hedderly, Joe Kilgariff, and Lisa Rudge
- Podcast ‘ADHD and Tic Disorders: Discussing the SATURN Trial’ with Dr. Seonaid Anderson and Professor Chris Hollis
- Podcast ‘Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome: Exploring the INTEND Project’ with Dr. Seonaid Anderson and Dr. Maddie Groom
- Podcast ‘Cultural Differences in Tics and Tic Disorders’ with Dr. Seonaid Anderson and Dr. Tara Murphy
- Podcast ‘‘Tics, and Tic Disorders; the sudden onsets and influences of the pandemic’ with Dr. Seonaid Anderson and Dr. Tammy Hedderly
- Podcast ‘Education, and Educating, about Tourettes’ with Dr. Seonaid Anderson and Lucy Toghill
- Podcast ‘Teens, Tics, and Tech’ with Dr. Seonaid Anderson and Camilla Babbage
Lectures, talks, and discussions
- NEW Recorded Round Table ‘Understanding Tic Disorders: A Round Table on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research’ with Dr. Seonaid Anderson and Dr. Charlotte Hall, Dr. Tammy Hedderly, Joe Kilgariff, and Lisa Rudge
- Recorded Webinar ‘Tic Spectrum Disorder’ with Dr. Tammy Hedderly and Dr. Tara Murphy
Open Access papers from ACAMH journals
- Original Article from the JCPP ‘Long-term clinical and cost-effectiveness of a therapist-supported online remote behavioural intervention for tics in children and adolescents: extended 12- and 18-month follow-up of a single-blind randomised controlled trial’, (January 2023), Chris Hollis, Charlotte L. Hall, Kareem Khan, Rebecca Jones, Louise Marston, Marie Le Novere, Rachael Hunter, Per Andrén, Sophie D. Bennett, Beverley J. Brown, Liam R. Chamberlain, E. Bethan Davies, Amber Evans, Natalia Kouzoupi, Caitlin McKenzie, Charlotte Sanderson, Isobel Heyman, Joseph Kilgariff, Cristine Glazebrook, David Mataix-Cols, Eva Serlachius, Elizabeth Murray, Tara Murphy