Tourette’s syndrome: challenging misconceptions and improving understanding

Freeman-Ferguson, Mark

Abstract

Tourette’s syndrome affects about 1% of the school-age population. Children and young people with the condition exhibit involuntary motor and vocal (also known as phonic) tics. Only 10% of those with Tourette’s syndrome have coprolalia, which involves involuntary swearing and inappropriate language. Tourette’s syndrome often presents with other conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Those affected by Tourette’s syndrome may be able to manage the condition with little or no professional support, but some may need pharmacological and nonpharmacological input, particularly from mental health services. It is essential that peers, teachers, healthcare staff and members of the public are aware of Tourette’s syndrome to ensure that children and young people living with the condition are supported well.

Citation

Freeman-Ferguson, M. (2022). Tourette’s syndrome: challenging misconceptions and improving understanding. Nursing Children and Young People, 34(2), https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2022.e1416

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 19, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 21, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Deposit Date: Mar 31, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 1, 2022
• Journal: Nursing Children and Young People
• Print ISSN: 2046-2336
• Electronic ISSN: 2046-2344
• Publisher: RCN Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2022.e1416
• Keywords: child and adolescent mental health, child behaviour, child development, child health, compassion, mental health, neurology, parents
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2859681