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The Impact of Tourette Syndrome in Adults: Results from the Tourette Syndrome Impact Survey

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Abstract

Chronic tic disorders (CTD) are characterized by motor and/or vocal tics. Existing data on the impact of tics in adulthood is limited by small, treatment-seeking samples or by data aggregated across adults and children. The current study explored the functional impact of tics in adults using a nationwide sample of 672 participants with a self-reported CTD. The impact of tics on physical, social, occupational/academic, and psychological functioning was assessed. Results suggested mild to moderate functional impairment and positive correlations between impairment and tic severity. Notable portions of the sample reported social or public avoidance and experiences of discrimination resulting from tics. Compared to previously reported population norms, participants had more psychological difficulties, greater disability, and lower quality of life. The current study suggests that CTDs can adversely impact functioning in adults and highlights the need for clinical interventions and systemic efforts to address tic-related impairments.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participants for their assistance. We would also like to thank the Tourette Syndrome Association for their support of this project and their help with recruitment.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Christine A. Conelea

    Present address: Brown University Medical School and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2441 E. Hartford Ave, Garland Hall Rm 224, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA

    Christine A. Conelea & Douglas W. Woods

  2. Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Samuel H. Zinner

  3. Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA

    Samuel H. Zinner

  4. Hofstra University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Cathy L. Budman

  5. Department of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Tanya K. Murphy

  6. Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA

    Lawrence D. Scahill

  7. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Scott N. Compton

  8. Department of Psychology: Social and Health Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Scott N. Compton

  9. Weill Cornell Medical College and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA

    John T. Walkup

Authors
  1. Christine A. Conelea
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  2. Douglas W. Woods
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  3. Samuel H. Zinner
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  4. Cathy L. Budman
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  5. Tanya K. Murphy
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  6. Lawrence D. Scahill
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  7. Scott N. Compton
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  8. John T. Walkup
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Correspondence to Douglas W. Woods.

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Conelea, C.A., Woods, D.W., Zinner, S.H. et al. The Impact of Tourette Syndrome in Adults: Results from the Tourette Syndrome Impact Survey. Community Ment Health J 49, 110–120 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9465-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9465-y

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