Tourette’s Syndrome

 

It is a neurological condition which is combined with involuntary noises and movements called tics. It usually starts in childhood and continues into adulthood. In many cases Tourette’s syndrome can be associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or ADHD.

If someone has tics, it doesn’t mean that this person has  Tourette’s syndrome. Tics have to be present for at least one year to be classified as Tourette’s syndrome and at least one of tics has to be vocal.

Tics can be:

  • vocal (sounds)– e.g. blowing, grunting, coughing or shouting out words
  • physical (movements)– e.g. jerking of the head, twisting the neck, rolling the eyes

Tics can be worse during periods of:

  • stress,
  • tiredness,
  • anxiety,
  • illness
  • nervous excitement

Neurofeedback training is a self-regulation strategy. The brain is trained at the point where the tics are reduced or eliminated.

In a brain with TS there is over-arousal. There is a high degree of excitability of the motor system. The overarching need is for this brain to experience calming, both in general and specifically in regard to motor circuits. When such calming is achieved tics (motor and vocal) may be reduced.

At BrainTrainUK we will create the best Neurofeedback training for your presentation of  Tourette’s syndrome. With the right approach, Neurofeedback practitioners have seen significant improvement in symptoms in the vast majority of cases. Nonetheless every case is different and sometimes you may not experience the reduction of tics but overall you should feel more relaxed and you should notice a better quality of sleep.  This is a condition that appears to benefit from long-term training.

Case studies suggest that Neurofeedback can be helpful with Tourette’s Syndrome (TS).

One study from 2011 showed that, after a total of 22 sessions of Neurofeedback, a 17 year old male with TS showed a reduction of tics and affective symptoms, and improvement of cognitive performance after training.

Here is a description of young boy who felt much better after Neurofeedback training. The tics have been reduced to less than 50% of what they were before, and are now mainly seen when he is under stress. The family climate is now much like in any other family with teenagers, and his mother describes a relaxed atmosphere at home.

 

To learn more about Neurofeedback for Tourette’s Syndrome, visit: www.braintrainuk.com