How is TS treated?
The majority of people with TS are not significantly disabled by their tics or behavioral symptoms and therefore do not require medication. However, there are medications available to help control the symptoms when they interfere with functioning. The drugs include haloperidol (Haldol), clonidine (Catapres), pimozide (Orap), risperidone (Risperdal), fluphenazine (Prolixin, Permitil), and clonazepam (Klonopin). Drugs such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and related drugs, and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) that are prescribed for ADHD have been described as increasing tics; this is controversial. Recent studies have not found a correlation with the use of these medication and an increase in tics. For obsessive compulsive traits that interfere significantly with daily functioning, fluoxetine (Prozac), clomipramine (Anafranil), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) may be prescribed.

Dosages which achieve maximum control of symptoms vary for each patient and must be gauged carefully by a doctor. The medicine is administered in small doses with gradual increases to the point where there is maximum alleviation of symptoms with minimal side effects. Some of the undesirable reactions to medications are weight gain, muscular rigidity, fatigue, motor restlessness and social withdrawal, most of which can be reduced with specific medications. Some side effects such as depression and cognitive impairment can be alleviated with dosage reduction or a change of medication.

Psychotherapy may also be helpful. Although psychological problems do not cause TS, such problems may result from TS. Psychotherapy can help the person with TS better cope with the disorder and deal with the secondary social and emotional problems that sometimes occur. More recently, specific behavioral treatments that include awareness training and competing response training, such as voluntarily moving in response to a premonitory urge, have shown effectiveness in small controlled trials. The use of relaxation techniques and/or biofeedback may serve to alleviate stress reactions that cause tics to increase. Larger and more definitive NIH-funded studies are underway.