Environmental factors and related fluctuation of symptoms in children and adolescents with Tourette's disorder

J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1995 Feb;36(2):305-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1995.tb01826.x.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to assess how 29 different environmental factors affected Tourette symptomatology in 14 children and adolescents (6.6-14.5 years; mean 10.3) who had never received any medication for their disorder. Assessment was based on patients' responses to the Tourette Syndrome (TS) Questionnaire. Eleven different factors were associated with a decrease in symptoms and included doctor visits, talking to friends, and reading for pleasure. The 10 factors reported to have no impact on Tourette symptomatology included various foods, weather, and living away from home. Seventeen factors associated with an increase in Tourette symptoms included events causing anxiety, emotional trauma, and social gatherings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety / complications
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Social Environment*
  • Stress, Psychological / complications
  • Tourette Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Tourette Syndrome / psychology