OCD and Tourettes Syndrome
Understanding Tourettes Syndrome in relation to OCD
Tic disorders usually begin around mid-childhood, peaking during early adolescence. Similarly to OCD, symptoms can fluctuate, increasing, and decreasing in severity throughout the person’s life. Often by early adulthood, tics tend to diminish, and at times can become absent. It is still not always clear as to why for some, symptoms are absent, compared to others who’s symptoms are prolonged, or in rare cases worsen. While tics can present sufficient problems alone, tics can also be associated with other features such as irritability, restlessness, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and in some cases, ADHD and OCD.
The development of OCD can lend itself to associative tics due to compulsions relaying to the brain that the person is experiencing an emotional response that is so uncomfortable they cannot cope with it. Tic behaviours have a dissociative quality to them in that they can often present as the body’s way of dealing with unwanted and painful emotions. Furthermore, there are correlations with those experiencing intense anxiety, guilt, and shame to develop tics, as it can be the body’s attempt to try and process such overwhelming emotions. Also, within OCD, the caudate nucleus becomes unable to successfully and automatically process-specific thoughts and feelings, offering a little insight into the link between the two disorders. There are also apparent problems with the bodies ability to process symptoms that display to tic behaviour adequately. The majority of those experiencing Tic Syndrome also have one or more associated conditions, as described above. Many experts refer to such cases as being Tic Syndrome Plus (TS Plus).
What causes the development of Tourettes?
The exact causes of Tourettes are not known. It is a complex disorder that, much like OCD is developed due to a combination of inherited or biological as well as environmental factors. Chemicals like serotonin and dopamine may also play a role, due to the relationship with the brain and the transmitting of nerve impulses.
How common is Tourettes?
Tourettes Syndrome (TS) affects 1 to 10 in every 1000 children. Symptoms stereotypically begin to show in childhood, although there are cases whereby TS develops in later adolescents and adulthood. Those from any ethnic background can develop TS, although it appears to be more prevalent in males than females.
How can our program help?
The main therapeutic models used to treat Tourettes are those of behavioural therapies, and more specifically, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Although we don’t specifically treat Tourettes Syndrome (TS) as a standalone condition, we have found the combination of Psychoeducation Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and talking therapy, all of which are included in our treatment programs to have been very successful when treating clients with OCD and tic behaviours. The intensive program has also proven to be effective for the treatment of ‘Tic related OCD,’ or ‘Tourettic OCD’ as described above.
More specifically, many clients say that the Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques that we teach as part of our programs have been pivotal in helping clients with tics to reduce symptoms, as the calming of the nervous system seems to have a very positive impact on the reduction of internal stress, tension, and the manifestation of tic behaviour.