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Psychiatry
Neuropsychiatry -
Tourette's Syndrome Clinic
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Tourette's Syndrome (TS) is a life-long inherited disorder that begins in childhood and consists of involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or sounds that occur repeatedly. TS affects three per cent of the general population and is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders (300,000 affected individuals in Ontario).
Dr. Paul Sandor Head,Tourette's Syndrome Clinic |
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Tourette's syndrome patients have involuntary jerks and twitches of the face, head, shoulders and other areas of the body and also make involuntary sounds, such as sniffing, grunting, squealing or swearing. The symptoms change in their frequency and move from one part of the body to another; this disorder usually starts at age five to seven, though it can begin anytime before age 18.
Some of the signs and symptoms of Tourette's syndrome:
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Motor tics : sudden, involuntary movements, like frequent eye blinking, eye movements, facial twitches and involuntary muscle. |
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Phonic tics : sudden, involuntary sounds like humming, squealing and throat clearing, |
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Echophenomena: a tendency to repeat actions or sounds that you see or hear. |
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Premonitory urge : an uncomfortable feeling that is temporarily relieved by performing tics. |
Established in 1980, the Tourette Syndrome Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital is headed by Dr. Paul Sandor and is the oldest and largest such clinic in Canada. The clinic provides a variety of services including assessment and consultation. Treatment may consist of any of drugs, family counseling and talk therapy for both children and adults.
Tourette Syndrome Neurodevelopmental Clinic
Toronto Western Hospital
West Wing, 3rd Floor
Tel: 416-603-5794
Fax: 416-603-5180
