Take 5 For Tourette Syndrome

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Awareness week is intended to make us stop, think and understand more about Tourette Syndrome.
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder for which there is no known cure. Awareness, understanding and acceptance are our key strategies to improve the quality of life for those with TS.
TSAA is the only organisation in Australia committed to supporting people effected by Tourette Syndrome. TSAA is a volunteer, self funded registered charity. After 27 years of campaigning and spreading awareness most people in the community have now heard the term Tourettes—but few have a true understanding of what it means and how they can help someone with TS manage their condition.

85% of children who have Tourette Syndrome will have other conditions, specifically ADHD (63%), depression (25%) and anxiety (49%).

Approximately 1 in 5 school-aged children will experience tics during normal brain development. 1 in100 children will have tics lasting more than 12 months and diagnosed as Tourette Syndrome.

During Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week (7-13^th May) Australians are encouraged to ‘Take 5 for Tourette Syndrome’, to learn more about the disorder and change the conversation.

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that affects approximately 45,000 children in Australia[1]. It is characterised by rapid, repetitive, and involuntary muscle movements and vocalisations called tics. Many school-aged children will experience a tic at some point (20%), with approximately 1 in 100 having multiple tics that last for more than a year[2].

To add complexity, 85% of those with Tourette Syndrome (TS) will also experience other mental health or behavioural problems. Specifically, 25% of those with TS will suffer depression, 49% will experience anxiety and 63% will have ADHD[3].

The nature of Tourette Syndrome and the lack of understanding surrounding the disorder makes children particularly vulnerable to being bullied, leading to them feeling isolated, embarrassed and out-cast from social groups. All of which can contribute to depression and anxiety and worryingly, one in ten youths with chronic tic disorders (CTD) will experience suicidal thoughts or behaviours[4].

In later life, TS can lead to discrimination which can have an impact on relationships, career opportunities and housing, as Tourette Syndrome continues to be misunderstood.

During Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week, Australians are being urged to “Take 5” minutes to learn more about Tourette Syndrome, to break down stigmas associated with the disorder. Even a basic understanding of Tourette Syndrome can minimise the psychological impact and lead to a greater acceptance of people with TS.

[1] http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?opendocument

[2] https://www.tourette.org/media/Full-Family-Toolkit-rev.pdf

[3] https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/otherconcerns.html

[4] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/da.22357/full#abstract

Thank you to Mediacast for their support to our campaign.