Tourettes and OCD ~ Biting, Licking - Tourette Syndrome Message Board

psg · 02-03-2007, 06:31 AM

My son is 13 and was diag w/Tourettes 9 months ago. He was also told he did not have the comorbids that often go along w/having TS, ie ADD, ADHD, OCD. Tourettes, for anyone that does not know, is when you have involuntary motor movements, both vocal and motor. My son has both. Tics wax and wane, they come and go and manifest into other tics, some worse than others. He is on Risperdal and Clonidine for tics, but it far from makes them disappear, only attempts to make them more manageable. For the last 1-1/2 months or so, he is doing things that are leading his Neurologist to think he is exhibiting OCD tendencies, and my husband and I now think he has OCD. He has a huge need to touch others, hug, moving his arms during a tic, and often "hitting" anyone in his way. In the last few days, most troubling for us is that he feels a need to bite, and licked one of his classmates hair, and my husband's skin yesterday. My son is an A-honor roll student, very bright and articulate, never a "behavioral" child. This is all very troubling for us to see him act in this way, even though we know he can't help it.

In addition to seeing a Neurologist, he has been seeing a Psychologist for 9 weeks, once weekly for Neurofeedback and CBT. His Neurologist believes very much in this process, and we trust it will help, but it is very slow. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had similar experiences. I wonder if there are meds to help him thru this difficult time. If so, please share experiences, side effects, etc. Thanks. I look forward to hearing from you.

j2006 · 02-03-2007, 07:21 AM

I have done alot of research on this. My niece was diagnosed with this as well.

We tried many medication with her and she just couldn't stay awake during the day. She would fall asleep at school and she just wasn't herself. So we had no choice but to take her off.

One of her doctors said that most of the time the tourettes (sp) just leaves. It takes time but it leaves. 5v years later it has. when she is tired or stressed some of her tics will come back.

One of things we did find during that time is that she had awful sinus infections. and her doctor mentioned that that could cause the tics as well.

During the past years, she has developed OCD. And she is seaking CBT and is helping. My sister and her husband are going with her on occassion which is very helpful.

She too was an A student which is very stressful for that little person to handle. she had bad teachers that stressed her out, etc. It was tough.

Hang in there - Take a look at the medication side effects. sometimes they can cause anxiety type reactions which can sometimes be mistaken for OCD.

ocdengineer · 02-03-2007, 08:28 AM

I would be a little concerned about giving a child those types of drugs because his brain is still developing. Like J2006 said this will probably work itself out over time, but come back in his late teens early twenties. At least at that age the brain is fully developed and he can get medication if need be and he will understand the CBT more. Those types of drugs don't really work well with children and can cause horrible side effects that they may not even understand as side effects, so just monitor him closely and if he is acting strangely then consider minimizing the dosage and alow him to grow up on his own.

I had OCD when I was in 2nd-4th grade. It was a horrible time for me, but it did go away and I had a great high school and college expereience with no symptoms. It wasn't until my senior year that the OCD came back and I had to start considering what I was going to do with my life again. I am now almost 30 married with a daughter and another on the way with a good job and a good group of friends, so life does go on and people do adapt. It is hard, but it is possible.

Take care,
OE

Good luck,
OE

dannic1 · 02-03-2007, 09:23 AM

By neurofeedback, I assume that you mean biofeedback? If so, I have had several biofeedback treatments done and it does work. I haven't been diagnosed with Tourette's, but I think I may have OCD tendencies and I definitely had anxiety. My anxiety is SO much better and I think the OCD is better as well. I, myself, know that symptoms can wax and wane. Stress brougth on a re-lapse for me, so reducing stress is very important. I would definitely keep up the neurofeedback. There are studies out there that it is a proven therapy. I also believe so much in the power of prayer.

Good luck - keep me posted. God bless.

danni

psg · 02-03-2007, 12:49 PM

Wow, I am impressed by all your replies. Thanks so much. We are at a very rough time at our house, and I am doing my best to get my son through this. The decision to medicate was not easy. But when his vocal tics were screaching non stop from morning till night, the decision was clear to us.

Dannic, my son is going through Neurofeedback from his Psychologist. We believe it will help along with the CBT he is receiving as well. The process, however, is slow at a time when we feel desperate for quick results. It helps to hear your experiences, and I welcome more. Thanks.