Can Tourette’s Syndrome Be Cured?

Tourette’s syndrome, a neuropsychiatric condition that can cause motor and vocal tics, can cause varying degrees of disruption to daily life. While there are currently no cures, there are numerous treatment options available to help manage symptoms.

“The most important question is whether the tics are impacting quality of life,” says Osama Abu-hadid, M.D., neurologist at the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center, as well as an assistant professor of neurology, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. “If quality of life is being impacted, the use of medications and certain forms of behavioral therapies can be considered.” 

How to Manage Tourette’s Syndrome

Dr. Abu-Hadid breaks down the different treatment options for Tourette’s syndrome.

Medications: Several types of medications can be used to treat Tourette’s syndrome. Generally, these medications affect the neurotransmitters in the brain that can help reduce the frequency of tics. Dr. Abu-Hadid notes that medications do have side-effects, which may include drowsiness and depression.

Behavioral Treatment: Tourette’s syndrome can be treated with various behavioral therapies, as well. The most common is called habit reversal therapy, which is broken down into three steps:

1. Teach the person to be aware of the tic coming on. “Many patients that do have tics will feel an urge before the tic occurs,” says Elizabeth Kera, Ph.D., director of Psychology & Neuropsychology in the Department of Neurology at theHackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack, as well as assistant professor, Department of Neurology, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
2. Once the person learns how to identify the urge of the tic, they will work to develop a competing behavior. “For example, if the person has a coughing tic, they may want to replace that with a breathing technique,” explains Dr. Kera.
3. Once they become competent in the replacement behavior, the final step is to master the behavior. “Usually, a family member is then identified to help them continue this as home,” says Dr. Kera.

This type of therapy is effective, but it does take time—it usually lasts 8–12 sessions—and loved ones of patients with Tourette’s syndrome can make the tic worse by paying too much attention to it.

Surgical Treatment: Deep brain stimulation may be considered in special circumstances—for example, if tics are self-injurious or extremely debilitating and medications have failed. This method, originally used to relieve Parkinson’s motor symptoms, involves implanting a device that sends electrical impulses to control Tourette’s syndrome symptoms.

Home Remedies: Severalthings can be done at home to help reduce tics:

• Educate family members to understand the condition and how to act appropriately.
• Avoid negative connotations with tics.
• Identify and then avoid stressors, which will make tics worse.
• Practice relaxation techniques and get plenty of sleep.
• Be compliant with all medication and therapy regimes and communicate with your doctor if things change.
• Get regular exercise. While this doesn’t have a direct impact, it may reduce stress.

While Tourette’s syndrome symptoms usually lessens with age, the condition can be disruptive to daily life. Learning and understanding it can make a difference. “Knowledge gives you power, and there is less to worry about when more is known,” Dr. Abu-hadid says.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our sources: Elizabeth Kera, Ph.D., and Osama Abu-hadid, M.D.
• To make an appointment with a neurologist near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about our neurology services.