Index Description of the area Evidence and research Mechanisms of action Indications Contraindications Description of the area Tourette syndrome is a tic disorder characterized by the presence of more than one motor tic and one or more vocal tics for a period exceeding one year that cause impairment or discomfort to the patient. (McGuire, Piacentini, Brennan, Lewin, Murphy, Small, & Storch (2014) Tic disorders are widely known for their very noticeable and sometimes embarrassing symptoms. Although there are various types of tic disorders, Tourette's syndrome is by far one of the most The prevailing themes of my research are the symptoms, treatment, epidemiology, and genetic basis of Tourette syndrome (TS), while readers will understand the in-depth symptoms and characteristics of Tourette syndrome will learn about the different options available to a patient diagnosed with TS. As I continue through my review, readers will discover the epidemiology and genetic importance when it comes to Tourette syndrome. The information gained through the review has helped strengthen the connection between research topic and sources. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned" Get an Original Essay The main treatment method that is learned is about Habit Reversal (Martin & Pear, 2015). ). Not only is it used to treat Tourette syndrome, but it is also used to treat many other tic disorders. The method consists of three phases that include the behavior analyst, the patient and the patient's family. First, the client learned to describe and identify the problem behavior. Second, the client learns and practices a behavior that is incompatible or competitive with the problem behavior. The client practices the competitive behavior in front of a mirror daily and also engages in it immediately after the problem behavior occurs. Third, for motivation, the client examines the distress caused by the disorder, records and graphs the behavior, and asks a family member to provide reinforcement for engaging in treatment (Martin & Pear 2015). Evidence and Research McGuire, Piacentini, Brennan, Lewin, Murphy, Small, and Storch (2014) state in their article that chronic tic disorders are normally defined by the symptoms they bring with them. These symptoms include motor tics and vocal tics, and these tics can range from simple to complex. For someone to be diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, these symptoms would have to persist for at least a year. Müller-Vahl, Ludolph, Roessner and Münchau state that Tourette syndrome (TS) is also defined by the presence of at least two types of motor tics and one type of vocal tic. This information is also agreed upon by Douglass Woods, in an interview observed online (2015). In addition to this, researchers also explain that a tic is a repeated and rapid movement or vocalization, without rhythm and without purpose. In addition to this information, tics have transportation classifications. There is quality and complexity when it comes to tics. When talking about the quality of tics, we distinguish between motor tics, which are movements, and vocal tics, which are sounds or explosions. The complexity of tics is simple or complex, simple tics affect a small number of muscles and are short-lived, while complex tics affect more than a small group of muscles and can last for longer periods of time (2012). McGuire et al., explains that because tics do not appear to differ with age, the most common tics are eye blinking, head jerking, mouth movements, and simple sounds (2014). Albin & Mink, in 2006, stated that TS isspecifically defined by the patient's motor and vocal tics, these tics normally begin during adolescence, then persist and change in type, frequency, and are distributed throughout different parts of the body over time. Some tics may be present and then suddenly disappear for no reason. The researchers also explain that complex motor tics can often resemble voluntary movements, even if they are not. In addition to this information, Albin & Mink also provide us with a possible timeline in which tics occur. Tics are known to occur in attacks that vary over hours or even months. These attacks are likely to increase during times of stress and relax when the patient is focused on something (2006). To continue, the researchers then focused on the therapeutic aspects of each source. The treatments discussed in this research are those that have proven most effective when tested in treating tics in people diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. Although Müller-Vahl, Ludolph, Roessner and Münchau believe that when it comes to tics, Psychoeducation should be the first step (2012). Leclerc, O'Connor, Forget, and Lavoie believe that a combination of medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy is, in most cases, a desirable treatment plan for Tourette syndrome (2010). Tallur & Minns, present an overview of psychological and pharmacotherapeutic treatment. Psychological training on self-awareness, self-monitoring, and relaxation is helpful if available. Behavioral techniques such as "response prevention" have proven to be effective, which involves prolonged exposure to the premonitory sensation with consequent "habituation". “Cognitive behavioral therapy”, which has been shown to be effective for OCD, will also work for TS and tics… Pharmacotherapy The decision to start pharmacological treatment for tics in TS must be carefully considered and the risks of adverse effects must be weighed against the potential benefits… drugs show significant improvements in the treatment of tics include (antipsychotics, seizure inhibitors, and sometimes antidepressants) (2010). To delve deeper into what Tallur and Minns say, they provide a list of medications that are typically used to treat Tourette syndrome, as well as some adverse effects that arise from each. Information is provided in a table, which begins with drug classifications consisting of synaptic dopamine blockers, atypical antipsychotics, and non-antipsychotics. One of the first drugs talked about is Pimozide, which is an antipsychotic, also known as a neuroleptic. The way pimozide works is by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Dopamine receptors are involved in transmitting messages between brain cells (netdoctor.co.uk,2013). Another drug mentioned is risperidone. Risperidone is classified as an atypical antipsychotic and works by rebalancing dopamine and serotonin levels (name.org, 2013). The last drug to be discussed is a non-antipsychotic called Clonidine, which is normally used to treat blood pressure. It works by reducing the levels of certain chemicals in the blood so that the blood vessels are more relaxed and the heart beats more slowly (drugs.com, 2013). When researchers did further research on all of these drugs, it was discovered that clonidine, although sometimes prescribed to treat tics, is not as effective as neuroleptics and is not actually FDA approved for this use (Packer, 2011) . Although medications can help a person diagnosed with TS, Müller-Vahl et al., introduce the idea of ​​Habit Reversal Training (HRT). ThereHRT has been used in recent studies as an alternative to drug therapy for tics. Habit reversal therapy is simple. When the tic occurs, instead of performing the desired tic, the patient instead performs a previously learned alternative action, so as to prevent the tic from occurring. In many of the studies reviewed by researchers, hormone replacement therapy and CBT are highly rated. Leclerc et al., believe that hormone replacement therapy has been most commonly reported and has the highest success rate when it comes to reducing the presence of tics (2010). Researchers also introduce the concept of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT decreases the occurrence of a tic by re-teaching the patient alternative acts and patterns. Although it has a different title, it is very similar to Habit Reversal, as they both work on decreasing tics using different behavioral techniques. Mechanisms of Action To gather information on the mechanism of action in relation to Tourette's syndrome, researchers observed an online interview study with Douglas Woods. Elaborate the processes underlying Tourette syndrome. Woods says there is a part of the brain that has abnormalities that cause tics, called the basal ganglia. Woods also states that the pathways responsible for movement inhibition appear to be 10% smaller in people with Tourette syndrome (2015). He then explains that when a person with tics uses behavioral change methods to stop the tics, it activates another part of the brain that appears to be normal. In other words, it's a catch 22. The job of the basal ganglia is to stop unwanted movements and allow reinforced ones, and if the basal ganglia aren't working properly, they will allow unwanted behaviors to be elicited. . The example Dr. Woods cites is that when Billy is in his home study watching television with his sister, he starts having tics, which causes his sister to tease him about it, and then his mother scolds his sister and sends her upstairs. Billy can now watch television on his own and watch whatever he wants, plus all of his mother's attention. The ability to watch what he wants and his mother's attention works as an indirect reinforcer for tics, because it causes a desirable outcome. Tics, as mentioned before, can also occur more in a certain environment, such as a specific room, perhaps even in the car, or whenever someone is at the beach. Although Billy does not necessarily find the tics themselves reinforcing, the act of getting the things he wants after a chain of events initiated by the tics becomes reinforcing. So, when Billy is in the studio, he is more likely to experience an increase in the frequency of tics, due to previous experiences. Indications In order for the treatment options introduced through my research above to have the best results, there are some desirable characteristics and situations. To elaborate, if a patient is diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and seeks the help of a behavior analyst, he or she will most likely undergo a behavioral evaluation to determine which treatment method is best for him or her specifically. Because of the obvious disruption that tics cause in their daily lives, adults are more likely to work harder to decrease the frequency of tics using CBT. In a study with Douglas Woods et. al., 4 out of 5 children aged 10 to 13 years showed a reduction in the frequency of vocal tics with the use of Habit Reversal. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize essayContraindicationsWhen someone is diagnosed with TS, the first thing.