Tics and ADHD

[Fuji]

Hei!

 

I am a Finnish male of 44. I have suffered mainly eye blinking-ticks all my life. Until recently I ficured out that ADD has been my main problem. I am not yet diagnosed. When I searched info I found following report. If I understand it right among 929 cases 94% who have tics also have ADHD.

 

I havent found actual research because I am not familiar of your database system. Do you believe the persentage is this high?

 

 

DG DISPATCH - AACAP: AD/HD A Major Factor In Tic Disorder

 

By Lara Pullen

Special to DG News

 

CHICAGO, IL -- October 27, 1999 -- Individuals with Tourette syndrome (a severe form of tic disorder) who are referred for clinical care also frequently suffer from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). A new study suggests that AD/HD may, in fact, account for much of the impairment seen in patients with tic disorder.

 

 

 

At the 46th annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Spencer, of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), in Boston, presented data from the MGH Study of Tic and AD/HD Disorders, which analyzed 929 consecutive referrals to pediatric psychopharmacology.

 

 

In this study, the researchers found that while 20 percent of children with AD/HD had a tic disorder, 94 percent of children with a tic disorder had AD/HD.

 

 

The children with tics plus AD/HD or with AD/HD alone had similarly high rates of mood disorders, antisocial disorders and anxiety disorders. In addition, children in both groups (tics plus AD/HD and AD/HD alone) had an almost identical patterns of cognitive impairment, lower academic achievement, arithmetic learning disabilities and impairment in global assessment of functioning ratings. Tic-related disorders not accounted for by AD/HD included obsessive compulsive disorder and simple phobias.

 

 

Dr. Spencer emphasized that treatment of AD/HD may be sufficient in those patients with tics plus AD/HD and there may be no need to treat specifically for tics. Only rarely do tics cause impairments and they tend to improve with time even in the absence of pharmacotherapy, he said.

 

 

Link to this report:

 

http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/13ee6e.htm

[Claire]

Fuji,

 

Excellent report, and exactly what we were discussing about tics being on an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

 

I personally have read that somewhere between 30-50% of kids with TS have ADD/ADHD. However, kids with TS is different from kids with tics. 20% of kids get tics, and only 1 or 2% get TS, last I read. Sorry no links.

 

This is interesting, because much more is written on ADHD than tics, and it implies that we should all look more into the adhd research. I do this with the ASD research.

 

Claire

[Guest Another Mom]

Hi Fuji,

 

Thank you for your excellent post.

 

From the research I have done I agree fully with what Claire has said above, i.e.:

" ... kids with TS is different from kids with tics. 20% of kids get tics, and only 1 or 2% get TS, .. ".

 

My child has the same type of tic you describe, but does not have TS or ADHD. It appears it might be allergy related and we recently began treatment with allergy injections along with supplements (Zinc Plus by VitaLife - combination of Vitamin C, Zinc and B6). So far there is a marked improvement and we are very encouraged.

 

Another Mom.

[Fuji]

I found that research report when I was searching information if and how stimulants might affect my tics. My tics are not such a problem anymore. Only when get tired and I have to be focused. So I think my eye blinking might just be a way to beep my brain activity high.

 

When I analysed my life back to my childhood I am sure the ADHD has always been there. It did not cause so much trouble that anybody at school or family had any idea of it.

 

Here in Finland it is really difficult to get proper diagnose for adults. At least for me. Perhaps because I have somewhat succeed at work and in marriage. When I finally lost the track and got depressed and got a depression diagnose it is even harder. The Psychiatrists explain it is just depression. They do not see actual problems behind my depression. I know that they still are caused because of ADHD.

 

If you have a child who has tics I think it is a good idea to keep ADHD on your mind if that report is true.

[Claire]

Fuji,

 

I know a parent with an adult son. They told me that their son didn't work hard enough in school, and they assumed it was an attitude problem. So they pushed him hard and criticized him when he didn't seem to produce as well as his abilities.

 

Well, when he turned 18, he was finally diagnosed with ADD. Unfortunately, at that point he also suffered from depression. The parent now believes that it was their ignorance of his real issue and their criticism that in part fueled the depression. The parent is suffering deep regrets.

 

I am sorry for your own suffering. You give terrific advice to all of us and I want to thank you for pointing this out. The article I posted said that "ADHD afflicts 50% of Tourette's syndrome patients with or without hyperactivity (2)."

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...p?showtopic=743

 

Again, this is TS, and for tic syndromes, perhaps it is higher--regardless, it is noteworthy. Also, depression can be related neurologically--please keep this in mind. I hope that you read these boards and perhaps see if some of these things might apply to you. Here is a link on supplements for depression, though that is a situation where it is good to have a doctor involved, depending on how serious it is.

 

http://healthinfo.healthgate.com/GetConten...&chunkiid=21566

 

I found a link on adhd and supplements and diet, and how the supplement/diet. I personally believe in a more customized program, but many of these are the same ones mentioned for tics.

 

Claire

 

http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/art...ticles/gant.pdf

 

Essential Fatty Acids and Phospholipids (Risk Factor #5)

(1) Salmon oil 1000 mg (EPA 180 mg; DHA 120 mg)

(2) Borage oil 200 mg (GLA 45 mg)

(3) Purified Soy Lecithin (Phosphatidyl choline 50-150 mg; Inositol 20-25

mg)

(4) Choline bitartrate (2.5-7.5 mg)

Agents to Support Thyroid Functioning (Risk Factor #7)

(1) Iodine (from kelp) (25-150 mcg)

(2) Tyrosine (900-1800 mg)

B Vitamins and Phytonutrients (Risk Factor #8)

(1) Vitamin B1 (as thiamine and thiamine pyrophosphate) (22.5-27.5 mg)

(2) Vitamin B2 (as riboflavin and riboflavin phosphate) (22.5-27.5 mg)

(3) Vitamin B3 (as niacin and niacinamide) (75-140 mg)

(4) Vitamin B5 (as D-calcium pantothenate and pantethine) (50-70 mg)

(5) Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine and pyridoxal-5-phosphate) (43-86 mg)

(6) Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) (90-175 mcg)

(7) Folic acid (435-760 mcg)

(8) Biotin (20-400 mcg)

(9) PABA (22.5-27.5 mg)

(10) Vitamin E (140-200 IU)

(11) Vitamin C (750-1000 mg)

(12) Vitamin A (as vitamin A and beta carotene) (2000-4500 IU)

(13) Vitamin D3 (40-100 IU)

(14) Vitamin K (20 mcg)

(15) Royal bee jelly (source of biopterin) (75-150 mg)

(16) Dimethyl glycine (10 mg)

(17) Citrus bioflavonoids (10-20 mg)

(18) Proanthocyanidins (grape seed) (5 mg)

(19) Bilberry extract (20 mg)

(20) Soy constituents (saponins, isoflavones, phytosterols) (20 mg)

[Guest Mighty Mom]

 

Wow! That study certainly describes my son with tics and ADHD. I was just sitting here getting depressed about the start of school because he does indeed have cognitive impairments, difficulty in math, and struggles socially because he tends to be immature. He is on Bonnies vitamins and Guanfacine for the tics and hyperactivity. They help manage the symptoms but they can't change who he is. I just finished sending a note to the special ed teacher and I'm drafting a letter to all of his teachers to make them aware of his needs. Most are too busy to thoroughly read IEP's. I don't look forward to the next 10 months. Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with homework, low grades, organization? Mighty Mom