Deal with a neurological condition as an adolescent.
Are you a teen with a neurological disorder?It can be hard to deal with your condition, but there are ways to make it more manageable.If you can focus on the positives in your life, you will be able to see your tics in a different light.Find activities you enjoy, get support, and talk to your family doctor to learn to cope with your condition.You can find many ways to feel more connected to yourself and others, so reach out and find what works for you.
Step 1: You should monitor your symptoms.
Pay attention to when and what kind of symptoms you have.You can record these symptoms in a notebook.Changes in your brain's structure and development cause tics.When your tics are more frequent or intense, you want to monitor them.If you want to modify or decrease the severity of your tics, you can present this information to a therapist.When stressed, anxious, excited, or nervous, your tics may occur more often.Stay relaxed and comfortable.
Step 2: Hard-to-control symptoms are something to learn to deal with.
It is important to recognize what is happening in order to suppress or ignore symptoms.Don't see your symptoms as weird because they're part of your Tourette Syndrome.It's not harmful to your body, but it is a neurological condition that needs to be monitored.Some kids with Tourette's will suppress their tics, but eventually they will become a tic attack.By keeping your tics in, they may be expressed later.There are anger and behavior issues that can be associated with Tourette's.Discuss any of these concerns with your parents, teachers and adults.
Step 3: Tell others about your symptoms.
Sometimes talking about your condition can help others understand and be more aware of what you're going through.It is possible that telling others is your own choice will make it easier in the long run.If you want to talk with others about your symptoms, you should first speak with your parents, trusted friends, or teachers.You can get attention from your peers if you have tics.Explaining to them that you can't control the urge to tic can be helpful.Explain that there are many people with similar conditions.Your condition is just one piece of who you are.Tell them about your other qualities.If you're good at something, name it.
Step 4: You can learn how to respond to teasing.
If you are a teen with Tourette Syndrome, you may feel different.The teen years can be hard if you don't feel accepted by your peers.Try to find things in common if people tease or misunderstand you.If there is a way to make them friends.You can find other people that make you feel welcome.You should spend more time with people who respect you.Don't feel guilty about who you are.It's okay to be different.Don't pay attention to people who put you down in order to make you feel better.That is not a sign of yours.If they bother you, consider walking away or ignoring them.Talk to school staff or your parents if the teasing persists.Everyone has the right to feel safe at school.
Step 5: Feel better about your condition.
You should not be isolating yourself because of your condition.While not everyone is going to like you, the same is true for people that don't have a neurological condition.Instead of feeling like you can't fit in, be yourself.The worst critic is you.Most people don't worry about what you do or how you act.Try not to worry about what others think.Make it seem like your condition is unimportant to other people.
Step 6: You can get involved in activities that interest you.
If you engage in an activity that interests you, your tics will be less frequent.You should identify activities that make you happy.Get physically fit by playing sports.You can join a sports team at school.Martial arts can help keep you focused.Get creative.You can express your creative side by taking more classes or joining clubs.Draw, paint, take pictures, or play music.This can help keep your mind focused.Other hobbies will keep you focused and make you feel better.Try activities that involve interacting with other teens.
Step 7: Discuss your medication options with your doctor.
It's important to talk to your doctor if you have new or worsening symptoms.If you are taking medications to help with your symptoms, but they have side effects or don't help, get medical advice about other options.There are a number of medications that can be used to control motor tics.There are medications that can help you in your daily life.You can use medication to manage your symptoms.If you had difficulty with breathing or your heart, using medication to help could possibly improve your health.
Step 8: Consider the benefits of behavior therapy.
CBT has been shown to help people cope with their condition and learn to recognize their tics.Depression, anxiety, and feeling isolated are some of the symptoms that can be alleviated with therapy.Ask your school counselor if there are any counseling resources in your area for people with the syndrome.Discuss your feelings with your family about individual or family counseling.A counselor can help keep you motivated to improve.Counseling is seen as a support rather than a stigma.You will be stronger if you get help.
Step 9: Have patience and practice self-care.
Things can be better if you believe that you can improve.When you're a teen, have patience and find healthy ways to appreciate yourself.It's okay to be unique if you give yourself permission.Love who you are.Do things that relax you.Listen to music.Go outside.Take a stroll through the neighborhood.Get some rest.
Step 10: A support system for friends and family is needed.
It is important to have people in your life who can help you when you are going through a difficult time.Keep in touch with your friends and family.The people you trust the most are the family members and friends.You don't want to be isolated when you're feeling down or frustrated.A friend or family member can be reached by phone or in person.Get their advice about ways to cope with what you're feeling, and talk about what's bothering you.Openly communicate with your friends and family about what you are going through as a teen.When you're stressed, consider finding a friend or family member that can be your go-to person.
Step 11: Join a support group.
Depending on where you live, and what community resources are available, find a support group that may help you as a teen.Talk with a school counselor about your condition, and if you are interested in support groups for teens, you can find a local chapter of the Tourette Association of America.There are counseling centers that focus on the needs of teens and young adults.If there are support groups that match your concerns, you should check them out.
Step 12: Help reduce the stigma by getting educated.
You should be an advocate for yourself.You are not alone in what you are facing.The more educated you are about your condition, the less stigma you will be able to reduce.Find out how to be active.Speak up for yourself and help break down stereotypes about your condition by going to the Tourette Association of America.Knowledge can be powerful.It can help build confidence.As change takes time, remember to have patience.Don't expect things to change overnight, it's important to help others understand your conditionOne day at a time, take each step.
Step 13: Each person's symptoms may be different.
There is a wide variation of how motor and vocal tics occur in each person, even if they have been diagnosed with Tourette's.It is not the same as sudden, rapid, and recurrent movement or vocalization.Between the ages of 5 to 18 is when tics start.Motor tics of the face, limbs, arms, and trunk may begin.Over time, tics can change.Two years from now, the tics may not be the same as they are now.There are vocal tics that are involuntarily shouting obscenities.grunting or barking, snorting, throat clearing, or repeating other's words are some of the more common vocal tics.It's not the most common symptom of uttering inappropriate words.There is a family history of neurological disorders.Inquire about the experiences of relatives who have one of these conditions.
Step 14: As you get older, you may have fewer tics.
You may be worried about how long you'll have these tics and whether they will get worse.Most research shows an improvement in the condition in a person's late teens and early adulthood.It is more likely that your tics will decrease after your mid-teens.Most of the people affected with the condition will see an improvement by adulthood.The condition may be less troublesome for you because of the symptoms.Think about how your symptoms will improve over time.
Step 15: There are positives and negatives to your condition.
Think about how this condition has made you stronger, more understanding, and possibly more accepting of differences in people, because it may seem like there are no positives to having it.Don't focus on the negative aspects of feeling weird.Don't allow others to determine your worth.See how your condition affects you.It could help you appreciate others more.It could teach you to be kind to other people.It makes you feel different.You are not boring or ordinary.
Step 16: If there are other conditions that need treatment, evaluate them.
If there are other conditions that need attention, be aware.Many teens with Tourette Syndrome may have other disorders as well.It's important to look at your mental health when you have another condition.You may feel sad, anxious, or upset if you've had the disease for a long time.Look for ways to get help, feel accepted, and be happy with who you are.