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The Psychosocial Aspects of the Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: Empirical Evidence from the Literature

  • Child and Developmental Psychiatry (M Grados, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Objective

A literature review suggests that Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is common but under-diagnosed and under-reported, and the consequences and impact are not fully understood. This review is focussed on the adverse psychosocial consequences experienced by many GTS patients which, in turn, cause significant distress and disadvantage to both the patients and their families.

Method

A review of the literature was conducted using Pubmed and Medline under the headings Tourette, psychosocial, stigma, stress and suicide, and also, cross-references were made from relevant sources based on the authors’ experience in the field.

Results

Many of the difficulties of GTS are experienced within the individual (the “inner sensations”), but some are due to the loud vocal tics as well as socially stigmatising nature of some of the motor tics (e.g. spitting) and the “possibly offensive” copropraxia. In other instances, this may be linked to the co-morbidity (e.g. ADHD, OCD) and co-existing psychopathology (e.g. depression, conduct disorder) that occur in up to 90% of people with GTS. More quantitative research into the psychosocial aspects and sequelae of having GTS are suggested.

Conclusions

Apart from managing and treating the individual with GTS in a comprehensive way, the education of the general public, teachers, doctors and employers is of vital importance to improve the psychosocial aspects of the person with GTS.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank our patients and their families who teach us constantly what it is like to live with GTS. Finally, we would like to thank Tourette’s Action, The Tourette Association of America, European Society for the Study of Tourette Syndrome (ESSTS) and the Tourette Syndrome Association Australia for their continuing support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuropsychiatry University College London, London, UK

    Mary May Robertson

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Mary May Robertson

  3. Department of Neurology, Atkinson Morley Wing, St. Georges Medical School and Hospital, London, Room 148, Blackshaw Rd, London, SW17, UK

    Mary May Robertson

  4. Infant Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    Valsamma Eapen

  5. Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry, South West Sydney (AUCS), Ingham Institute, ICAMHS, Mental Health Centre, L1, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, Sydney, NSW, 2170, Australia

    Valsamma Eapen

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Robertson, M.M., Eapen, V. The Psychosocial Aspects of the Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: Empirical Evidence from the Literature. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 4, 59–69 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-017-0107-8

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