Complications of Tourette's syndrome can include some psychological and behavioural problems, as well as learning difficulties. However, Tourette's syndrome does not usually affect a person's intelligence.
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Up to 60% of children with Tourette’s syndrome will also develop obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
OCD is a long-term (chronic) mental health condition that is usually associated with having obsessive thoughts and some compulsive behaviour.
In children with Tourette’s syndrome, the symptoms of OCD usually take the following forms:
- constantly checking things – for example checking windows are locked or the door is not left open
- a desire for order and symmetry – for example, their toys have to be lined up on the shelf in one specific way, and if that order is disrupted, the child can become very upset
- hoarding – keeping hold of objects that have no real value, such as bus tickets or flyers for takeaways
- cleaning – constantly cleaning because they have an obsessive fear of disease and contamination: this often takes the form of compulsive hand-cleaning
Often a physical tic and compulsive behaviour can combine, so the child might be constantly picking up an object and the placing it down or repeatedly opening and closing a door.
OCD is treated using a combination of medication, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) antidepressant, and therapy, such as the talking therapy cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
With treatment most people will experience an improvement in symptoms and some achieve a complete cure.
For more information, see the Health A-Z page on treating obsessive compulsive disorder.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Another common condition to affect children with Tourette’s syndrome is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is thought to affect up to 70% of children with Tourette’s.
ADHD is a behavioural condition that causes problems with issues such as attention span, concentration, the control of impulses and the ability to plan ahead.
Children with both Tourette’s syndrome and ADHD usually have great difficulties focusing on specific tasks for a prolonged period of time and are often easily distracted.
For more information, see the Health A-Z topic on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Behavioural problems
Other behavioural problems that can affect children with Tourettes’ syndrome include:
- irritability
- anxiety
- antisocial behaviour
- flying into sudden rages
- less commonly – self-harming behaviour
- inappropriate behaviour to others
As a child grows older, this inappropriate behaviour can often take the form of saying inappropriate sexual remarks or acting in a sexually aggressive manner.
These types of problems often improve once a child begins treatment for Tourette’s syndrome and their tics start to be better controlled.
Learning difficulties
Tourette’s syndrome does not usually affect a person’s intelligence but it can cause learning difficulties, particularly if a person also has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Many people with Tourette’s syndrome find it harder to learn through habit, for example when a child learns to read. This is because the part of the brain that controls habit learning is the basal ganglia, which is the part that is most associated with Tourette’s syndrome.
Therefore, children with Tourette’s syndrome may have difficulty mastering skills and activities that other children pick up as a matter of routine, such as adding or subtracting simple numbers, or reading and writing.
Some children with Tourette’s syndrome may require additional specialised educational support. Your local education authority (LEA) can arrange an assessment of your child’s educational requirements before drawing up a plan to meet their needs.
