Tic disorders and ADHD: answers from a world-wide clinical dataset on Tourette syndrome

Abstract

Subjects with TS have high rates of ADHD and complex associations with other disorders. Clinically the findings confirm other research indicating the importance of ADHD in understanding the behavioural problems often associated with the diagnosis of TS. Additional ADHD comorbidity should be taken into account in diagnosis, management, and training.

Bridging neuroscience and clinical psychology: cognitive behavioral and psychophysiological models in the evaluation and treatment of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome

“…The most disabling symptoms for the child are those of ADHD, sleeping problems (e.g., insomnia, sleepwalking and periodic leg movements) and anger control [11]. A large international study stressed that ADHD is present in approximately 55% of children afflicted with GTS and represents the main associated disorder in this segment of the general population [25]. Among adults with GTS, OCD, anxiety and depression become the most prevalent symptoms.…”

Neurocognitive Aspects of Tourette Syndrome and Related Disorders

“…Freeman et al, (2000) established that anger control problems, sleep difficulties, coprolalia, and self-injurious behavior, reached high levels in GTS individuals with comorbidity. Large epidemiological studies also showed that the most frequent comorbidity in GTS is ADHD in children and OCD in adults, affecting each about 50% of GTS patients (Alsobrook & Pauls, 2002;Freeman, 2007;Freeman et al, 2000). Studies are frequently compromised because of not factoring out comorbidity.…”

Social Deficits and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Tourette’s Syndrome

“…TS impacts approximately 1-10 in 1000 children [2][3][4] and is commonly associated with other psychiatric disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [5][6][7], obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) [6], mood disturbances [8,9], disruptive behaviors [10], and learning disorders [11]. In addition, youth with TS often experience peer victimization [12, 13•], self-concept deficits [14•], and interpersonal difficulties [15, 16•], particularly those with comorbid autism spectrum disorders (ASD) [17,18].…”