Tourette Syndrome

Medications won’t stop tics completely, but it can help make them less frequent or less noticeable. Your care team will work with you to find the best option and adjust it as needed.

Medication options include:

• Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists: These medications, like clonidine and guanfacine, are often used to treat high blood pressure but can also help reduce tics and symptoms of ADHD. They work by calming nerve signals in the brain.
• Antidepressants: A type called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like fluoxetine or sertraline, may help if you have anxiety, depression or obsessive thoughts along with tics.
• Aripiprazole: This newer antipsychotic helps balance dopamine in the brain and may lower the number and intensity of Tourette syndrome tics with fewer side effects than older medications.
• Central nervous system stimulants: If you have ADHD, stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine salts may help with focus and attention. In many cases, they don’t make tics worse.
• Conventional antipsychotics: Older medications like haloperidol and pimozide can reduce tics by blocking dopamine but may cause more side effects, so they’re usually only used when other treatments don’t help.
• VMAT 2 inhibitors: These medications, typically used for conditions such as tardive dyskinesia and Huntington disease, decrease dopamine release in the brain and can reduce involuntary movements.

Therapy can help you manage tics, understand your condition and feel more in control. It’s often used along with medication or on its own if symptoms are mild.

Types of therapy your doctor might suggest include:

• Behavioral therapy: A trained therapist can teach you ways to change how you respond to tics. One proven approach is called Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). It includes habit reversal training, education about tics and relaxation exercises to help you feel more in control.
• Psychotherapy: Talking with a mental health professional can help you deal with stress, anxiety, depression or OCD. It gives you tools to cope with challenges and build confidence.
• Family therapy or support: If your child has Tourette syndrome, therapy that includes parents or caregivers can improve communication, reduce stress at home and help everyone feel more supported.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical option that may be considered for severe Tourette syndrome when other treatments haven’t worked. It’s usually only recommended for adults or older teens with disabling tics that don’t respond to medication or therapy.

During the procedure, a neurosurgeon places thin wires, called electrodes, into specific areas of the brain that affect movement and behavior. These electrodes are connected to a small device implanted under the skin in the chest, similar to a pacemaker. The device sends electrical signals to help regulate brain activity and reduce tics.

DBS doesn’t cure Tourette syndrome, but it may help lessen the severity of tics in some people. Like any brain surgery, it comes with risks, so your doctor will carefully weigh the benefits and potential side effects before recommending it.