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Issues Facing Adults with Tourette Syndrome

Many adults today were not diagnosed with TS earlier in life due to a lack of awareness at the time about TS. It can be difficult for an adult to change the negative impact this may have had on them for so many years.

Relationships with family may be problematic if the diagnosis was not known earlier. This may have led to negative family dynamics compounded thru the years which can be difficult to undo without professional help.

Peer relationships may be poor, particularly if there is a history of having been chronically teased and rejected by peers. Support groups for TS adults can be very helpful in providing a positive peer experience.

Mental health professionals can play an important role in helping adults who have been significantly negatively impacted by their TS. They may be unsure about whether, or how to tell peers their diagnosis, worried they may risk rejection. Adults with TS may worry about job discrimination. They may be experiencing distraction on the job from tics, and are unsure whether to tell their employer about their TS. Referrals to vocational programs may be helpful for some TS adults.

For those TS adults who have difficulty becoming independent from their parents, mental health professionals can help them take steps toward living on their own, learning how to manage money, obtain vocational assistance, and develop mature peer relationships.

Couples therapy can assist with helping spouses understand TS and associated disorders as well as addressing marital conflicts that may have developed as a result.

There is a significant role mental health professionals can play in assisting individuals with TS and their families in coping with the impact of the disorder. It is hoped that this article has given the reader some encouragement to work with people and families affected by TS, and assistance in clarifying ways they can be helpful.

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Reviewed: 03/2006