Tourette's Syndrome Treatment
There's no cure for Tourette's syndrome. All signs point to genetics as the source of Tourette's, and as of yet, there's no way to change your genes to remove the condition. But don't worry — Tourette's isn't life threatening. And although it may seem to interfere with life, it doesn't need to be livelihood-threatening either. The symptoms of Tourette's in most cases don't hold back most of those who have it, and they don't interfere with childhood development in any physical way.
Having said that, there are medications available which can lessen the effects of Tourette's syndrome when they begin to interfere with normal life. Before reading, I urge you to understand that I am not a doctor, that I have no medical training and that I don't have the credentials to offer solid recommendations for Tourette's treatment. This is purely informational content, and you should always consult a physician before taking any of these medications.
There's no "silver bullet" when it comes to Tourette's—you're not going to find a single medication that will remove all Tourette's symptoms, nor will you find one that works for everybody. The following is a list of some of the usual suspects when it comes to medication for Tourette's:
- Pimozide or Orap is a neuroleptic drug used to reduce tics. Side effects include muscular rigidity, drooling, fatigue, anxiety and restlessness and are generally short-term and tend to disappear after treatment is discontinued.
- Haloperidol or Haldol is another neuroleptic drug and has side-effects very similar to that of Pimozide.
- Olanzapine or Zyprexa is also a neuroleptic drug. Side effects may include dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain and asthenia.
- Stimulants such as methyphenidate (Ritalin) are often used to treat associated behavioral disorders such as ADHD, but can sometimes have the side effect of increasing tics, and are not always the best choice for someone with Tourette's.
- Paroxetine (Paxil) is often used to reduce anxiety, and can often help tics as an additional effect. Paroxetine is most often prescribed when an anxiety disorder, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, accompanies Tourette's Syndrome. Side effects of paroxetine can include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, sleepiness, dizziness, sweating, abnormal vision and sexual side effects
- Clonidine or Catapres is an antihypertensive drug meant for reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that clonidine can help with the reduction of tics, and as a treatment for the effects of ADHD. Side effects of Clonidine could include dizziness, headache, increased appetite, fatigue and insomnia.
Alternatives to Medication
If drugs aren't appealing to you, or not necessary for your condition, there are other ways to help treat Tourette's.
As tics (and other possible symptoms) are aggravated by stress, stress-reduction techniques can help reduce the symptoms of Tourette's to a more manageable form.
Although Tourette's Syndrome is a neurological disorder (as opposed to a psychological one), psychotherapy can help an individual with Tourette's deal with its psychological side-effects. Tourette's can be an emotional and social challenge for anyone — getting help from a psychotherapist can make it easier to live with Tourette's, embracing its potential charm rather than becoming frustrated over its difficulties.