In Poland, there is an organisation that helps children, adults and their families affected by Tourette Syndrome - the Polish Tourette Syndrome Association. It helps to understand the nature of the illness as well as to learn to function normally with it.

Genetic factors influence the development and severity of tics. Various environmental factors are known to have a significant impact on the severity of tics and to increase their incidence, as do autoimmune diseases. Many years of observation have identified certain factors that have a significant impact on the frequency, severity and duration of tics. These include fatigue, severe stress, anxiety, irritability, nervousness, excitement, crying, trauma of various kinds, stimulants (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs), but also boredom, calmness and silence. In the case of the last two factors, it has been noted that the tics subside - but then return with double the force.

If you notice any worrying symptoms in your child's behaviour, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Do not attribute these behaviours to the child's developmental period, problems with expressing emotions or treating the child as hyperactive by nature.

Symptoms of Tourette's syndrome

Symptoms characteristic of Tourettes syndrome are:

• blinking of the eyes,
• rolling of the eyes,
• motor hyperactivity (jumping, shrugging shoulders, shaking shoulders, touching others, running, popping and touching others),
• slurring, grunting, screeching, squealing, screaming, grunting,
• moving the head,
• batting an eyelid,
• using profanity,
• running around,
• strange grimaces and facial contortions,
• using a bunch of different words without much sense, repeating them,
• treatment of Tourette's syndrome,
• Tourette's syndrome is one of the incurable diseases, in the course of which there are periods of remission.

Patients require help from psychologists, psychotherapists, behavioural therapy and, in the case of severe tics, also pharmacological therapy. Mild tics are usually not treated with medication.

Pharmacological treatment is necessary for severe tics.

The treatment used is:

• various types of antidepressants,
• neuroleptics,
• calcium channel blockers,
• D2 receptor blockers,
• botulinum toxin injections,
• psychotherapeutic sessions with a psychotherapist,
• sessions with a psychologist,
• it is important to bear in mind that all treatments and pharmaceuticals are adapted individually to the patient's general condition (frequency, severity and intensity of new tics to those already existing). Medication must be taken as prescribed by the doctor.

At present, there are no effective and safe medications available for the patient to function normally.