How is Tourette Syndrome Diagnosed?
Blood tests cannot help Tourette syndrome diagnosis but imaging studies can rule out other suspected conditions. Misdiagnosis is common.
The criteria for diagnosis are as follows:
- Onset of tics before 18 years of age Presence of multiple motor and vocal tic(s) for sometime during the illness, although it may not be simultaneously
- Multiple bouts of tics through the day or Intermittent occurrence of tics all through the year without a tic – free period of more than 3 months at a stretch.
- The tics are not due to drugs or other illnesses
The presence of other associated neurological or psychiatric conditions can help doctors to diagnose Tourette Syndrome (TS).
Simple blood tests are not done for Tourette Syndrome (TS) diagnosis but imaging studies like MRI, CT scan can help to rule out other suspected conditions. Mis-diagnosis is common even by experienced doctors.
