question about tourettes?

Question

is there a medical test that can confirm someone has tourettes?

Answer 1

I don't know if there is an actual test, except for the machine that can be attached to you, and does test your movements on your body. THAT test has been done by members of my family. Still, the Tourette's Syndrome, actually seems to show itself in large movements of the body that are automatic, not done on purpose. You do not need to have the outbursts of swearing, etc., to have Tourettes. Really, only about 5% of people with the syndrome do that. In my family, the large movements of arms, hands, legs, and such are just involuntary, and our family has learned to just work them into the conversation when possible. That sounds weird, I know, but, since we talk with our hands all the time, an arm suddenly flying up is easily covered up by showing greater expression during speech. The harder part is when sitting in class, and the body jerks hard without warning and without control. When you DO have Tourette Syndrome, it is not hard for a doctor to see that you do, actually. What our family calls 'chills' is when the whole body just reacts as if someone did have a giant 'chill' that caused the body to jerk, hard. Does this sound as though it may be something you have? As long as you do not have the vocal problems with Tourettes, it can easily be dealt with. If you DO have the vocal problems of swearing, etc., you would, definitely, know if these were voluntary or involuntary. Do not confuse a quick, short temper with this syndrome. It is totally different. Non vocal Tourettes is easily lived with and easily 'disguised' into conversation, with a bit of creativity.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, no, there is not one definitive test for Tourettes.

Tourettes is diagnosed by oral history from the patient (or patients parents) and observation by the Physician. We were not sure what was going on with our son, so we video taped him and brought this information, along with a log I had kept, to a Pediatric Neurologist. This information was invaluable in the process.

Sometimes other tests will be recommended (blood tests or EEG, etc), but they can only rule out other conditions.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Tourette syndrome (TS) is an inherited disorder of the nervous system. Since a gene responsible for Tourette syndrome has not yet been discovered and the syndrome cannot be diagnosed through a blood test, physicians have to resort to an alternative means. The diagnosis is made through observation and interview of the patient and discussions with other family members. The diagnosis, of Tourette syndrome is complicated by a variety of factors. The extreme range of symptoms of this disorder makes it difficult to differentiate Tourette syndrome from other disorders with similar symptoms. Diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that some tics appear to be within the range of normal behavior. For example an individual who only exhibits such tics as throat clearing and sniffing may be misdiagnosed with a medical problem such as allergies. In addition, such bizarre and complex tics as coprolalia may be mistaken for psychotic or "bad" behavior. Diagnosis is also confounded by individuals who attempt to control tics in public and in front of health care professionals and deny the existence of symptoms. Although there is disagreement over what criteria should be used to diagnosis Tourette syndrome, one aid in the diagnosis is the DSMMD (DSM-IV). The DSM-IV outlines suggested diagnostic criteria for a variety of conditions including Tourette syndrome.

DSM-IV criteria:

presence of both motor and vocal tics at some time during the course of the illness

the occurrence of multiple tics nearly every day through a period of more than one year, without a remission of tics for a period of greater than three consecutive months

the symptoms cause distress or impairment in functioning

age of onset of prior to 18 years of age

the symptoms are not due to medications or drugs and are not related to another medical condition

Answer 4

Touretes syndrome is not diagnosed from medical tests. There is no medical tests given for this type of disorder. A Neurologist will ask specific questions and watch the behavior of a patient to make a official diagnoses.

Answer 5

No, there is no test. You have to go completely by symptoms. If you see a child that blinks his eyes in a "nervous" way, you can just about bet he has TS. He might outgrow the tics but other symptoms will still be with him, especially the add and ocd that goes along with TS.

TS, ocd, adhd are pretty much the same disorder, just with and without tics.

Answer 6

well i guess **** **** ***** you can go to a doctor.

Maybe i should too?