Tic Disorder Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What to Try Instead

Tic Disorder Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What to Try Instead

Are you a parent at your wit’s end trying to find effective treatments for your child’s tic disorder? You’re not alone. Plenty of caring moms and dads, like Concerned Carol, have scoured the internet for solutions, only to come up short. 

The truth is, conventional treatments for tics and Tourette’s are pretty limited. A 2020 review of current treatments reveals a narrow focus on medications and therapies that don’t always deliver results. Let’s break it down:

Meds, Meds, and More Meds

The go-to treatment for tic disorders? You guessed it: prescription drugs. Doctors often prescribe medications off-label, meaning they weren’t even designed for tics in the first place! A study from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital found that these meds rarely reduce symptoms by more than 50%. 

Even worse, many tic meds work by blocking dopamine in the brain. But get this – common side effects include weight gain and (drumroll, please) involuntary repetitive movements. Yep, the very thing you’re trying to stop! It’s like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Other options on the menu include anti-seizure drugs like clonidine (which can be a beast to wean off of) and even Botox injections. Because who doesn’t want to inject a biotoxin into their kid’s neck muscles, am I right? 

The “Just Ignore It” Approach

Raise your hand if a well-meaning doctor has ever told you to just ignore your child’s tics. *Raises both hands high* It’s frustrating to be told to sweep your kid’s struggles under the rug, especially when they’re afraid and confused about what’s happening to their body.

Ignoring tics might work for a hot minute, but sooner or later, you’ll likely find yourself back at the doc’s office, desperate for help as symptoms worsen. And that’s when they break out the prescription pad.  

 

Alternative Functional Treatments: A Glimmer of Hope?

The review does mention a couple of non-drug options, like Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). This therapy teaches kids to replace tic movements with competing ones, like moving a finger instead of jerking their neck. 

CBIT can be helpful, especially when combined with other approaches. But it’s time-consuming and not always doable for little ones who struggle to sit still and practice.

Then there’s the nuclear option: deep brain stimulation. Call me crazy, but drilling into my kid’s precious brain to zap their tics away doesn’t exactly fill me with warm fuzzies. Especially if we haven’t first looked at potential root causes like diet, infections, or toxins!

 

The Missing Piece: Comprehensive Testing

Here’s the deal: tics are like your body’s check engine light. They’re a sign that something deeper is going on under the hood. But conventional treatments rarely bother to pop the hood and take a look.

That’s where comprehensive neuroimmune analysis comes in. By testing over a thousand biomarkers, we can identify underlying issues like leaky gut, food sensitivities, infections, and more. Armed with that data, we can connect the dots and create a personalized plan to get your child’s health back on track.

It’s not a quick fix – there’s no magic bean that will erase tics overnight. But by addressing the root causes, rather than just masking symptoms with meds, we can make sustainable progress toward healing.

 

Wrapping It All Up

If you’re a Naturally-Minded Natalie who’s been let down by conventional tic treatments, don’t lose hope. You’re not out of options – you just need to look beyond the prescription pad. 

Comprehensive testing and holistic approaches may hold the key to unlocking relief for your child. So keep advocating, keep searching for answers, and don’t be afraid to think outside the pillbox. Your kid’s worth it.