Tourettes- Please help

[blink1147]

I have OCD, and my therapist also told me I have Tourettes. I have all the tics and symptoms, but it doesn't seem like tourettes because I'm aware I'm doing it. From what I've heard, a person with Tourettes are supposed to do these things involuntarily (I think). I do it voluntarily, but only because I can't control the urge. Is this right, or is it just OCD???

[dsteamn]

Hi.  I have had ADD/OCD/TS since I was 8 (I'm 49 now).  The symptoms for me tend to wax and wane.  The word 'involuntary' is a tricky thing when it comes to the body.  To me, involuntary means things like breathing and heart beat.  Those are things I'm not aware of and just happen all by themselves.  With my tics, its a different story.  

When I am stressed or tired, the tics tend to be a lot worse.  They are worse at night when I am sitting relaxing watching tv rather than in the throws of my day.  If I am talking or readily involved in something, they tend to turn off or down for a while.  I am usually aware of doing them, although sometimes I don't realize how much I'm doing everything until I start to get tired or worn out from a particular activity.  

I am always aware when I am going to tic.  I can control them to a certain degree and even hold them back for a short period of time, but they have to be released eventually.  This was definitely a learned behavior after having the disorder for many years.  For me, its kind of like having an itch in public that you don't scratch.  You know its there and can't get it off of your mind, you want to scratch it, but you don't.  Eventually you have to scratch it or it will drive you crazy.  Tics are the same way.  If I am at home and just let them do their thing, they will subside easier than if I fight them or try to stop the sensation.

Have you ever tried biofeedback?  I did this many years ago and can't tell you enough how beneficial it was.  It made a tremendous difference in my life.  I also find that living as stress free as possible and staying away from things that tend to raise the blood pressure along with not getting overly tired helps me really stay in check.

Hope that helps.  Good luck.  :o)

[syndismilez]

Hi,
My son has TS. So I can only speak from his perspective. I am not a Dr. either.
He does know when he does the tics. He explains it to me as the "Dont push the Red Button!" feeling. The urge is too overwhelming to control. He is 13 now and has learned to control them to a point, but when he can he just let's the tics do their thing.
Have you been to a neurologist?  It might be a good idea to get some one elses opinion as well.
Cyndi