In this In Conversation podcast, Dr. Seonaid Anderson is joined by Dr. Maddie Groom to discuss a current research project focusing on Tics and Tourette Syndrome called INTEND. INTEND stands for ImproviNg Tic Services in EnglaND.

Discussion points include: 

The ideas behind the project and how the project is funded.
Insight into what Tics are, and their impact.
How health care professionals are involved with the INTEND project and how they can get involved.
The importance of a recommended service model and the impact of there being no NICE guidelines in the UK for Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome.

This episode is part of The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health’s series on Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders. The series explores the evidence-based research on Tourette Syndrome, and other Tic Disorders, as well as the education, treatments, and the influences of the pandemic and social media.

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DOI: 10.13056/acamh.26823

Tic Disorders And Tourette Syndrome Exploring The INTEND Project

DOI: 10.13056/acamh.27603
https://doi.org/10.13056/acamh.27603

In this In Conversation podcast, Dr. Seonaid Anderson is joined by Professor Chris Hollis, who is leading a research team working on a research project about ADHD medication and Tics. The focus of this podcast is on this research project, called The SATURN Trial.

The full name of the trial is the ‘Stimulant Medication for ADHD and Tics – Understanding Response versus Non-stimulants (SATURN): a randomised trial of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of methylphenidate versus Guanfacine for ADHD in children and young people with a co-existing tic disorder’.

Discussion points include:

- Definition of Tics and ADHD.
- Potential challenges of differentiating between tics from a Tic Disorder, such as Tourette Syndrome, from other movements from conditions such as chorea dystonia myoclonus.
- Differentiating between stimming movements and tics.
- The reason behind The SATURN Trial and how it is funded.
- The effectiveness of non-stimulant medication in treating the symptoms of ADHD.
- Co-morbidity and Tic Disorders.
- Impact of the ongoing shortage of ADHD medication on patients.
- Why people should be encouraged to get involved in this research and the clinical implications from this research.

This episode is part of The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health’s series on Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders. The series explores the evidence-based research on Tourette Syndrome, and other Tic Disorders, as well as the education, treatments, and research in this area.

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ADHD and Tic Disorders: Discussing the SATURN Trial

This song is performed by: Dominic Azul, who was 6 years old at the time of this recording, he was diagnosed with ADHD and Tourettes syndrome. He wanted to raise awareness by doing this song to reach out to other kids like him.

This is one of my earliest works, i didn't know what i was doing, my recording equipment was below average, everything was done on a tight budget. Later on i would go on to remix and remaster then re-release this same song but with more advanced gears. These are the foundation of awareness is power the campaign, along with I'm the girl, and hang in there and pass the mic if you wanna know. These particular songs have fundamental and sentimental values.

Awareness is Power

I am the boy (they don't understand)

A guitar improvisation on a simple phrase which, to my mind, is reminiscent of the depression era.  Maybe a slight touch of Mingus.

Bread Lines

spanish trap song. If you like Share Please. 
Beat was made by me. 

Song is copyrighted

Mala y Lujosa

Version 2 of mall y lujosa 
Riley Urich made some change on the beat
Enjoy

Mala y lujosa Version 2

Wax and Wane is a vocal exploration of the shifting nature of tics within the body, transforming from physical motion to vocal expressions, varying in complexity and intensity throughout the artist's life. Tics, particularly those linked with Tourette's, often diminish or become less visible at certain times of day or during different life stages. Stress can exacerbate them, while at other times, they retreat inward, becoming internal sensations only the person experiencing them can feel, yet still causing interruptions, like a subtle flutter beneath the skin.

Wax and Wane

Sit Still is a choral composition for four voices that delves into society's assumption that stillness comes naturally. It challenges the notion that movement—such as fidgeting or wriggling—is a sign of disengagement, immaturity, or misbehavior. The work draws on the artist’s reflections on her own self-criticism for struggling to achieve stillness, especially in moments when it feels most necessary.

Sit Still

Flutter explores the constant interruption of Tourette’s to everyday life, through small sounds as well as the shame which can be experienced when experiencing tics.

A collection of erratic, arhythmic voclisations are counterbalanced by soothing lullaby-esque humming, exploring both shame and empathy. Fragments of spoken word explore the complexities of this condition alongside public perception. The work addresses the festival theme of Invisible, particularly considering masking in women (Tourette’s is often underdiagnosed in women, or symptoms are less noticeable whilst still being present).

Flutter

Premonitory Urges is a sonic exploration of the sensation experienced by Tourette’s sufferers which is an overwhelming sensation to perform a tic, an experience similar to the urge to blink. This work uses sound and voice to express this buildup and release. It also uses sine and saw waves to act as a grounding solace providing a drone underneath the vocals. Other sounds include groans and also vocalised inhales, common tics experienced personally by the artist. As the piece progresses, it transitions into a harmonious blend of choral and ambient electronic elements, culminating in a euphoric soundscape that symbolises the calming effect of sound and singing on the body.

Premonitory Urges

Mental Health Arts is a year-round arts programme led by the Mental Health Foundation Scotland, built around the annual Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF). Established in 2007, the festival is one of the largest of its kind in the world and among Scotland's most diverse cultural events, covering everything from music, film and visual art to theatre, dance, and literature.

We are committed to multi-disciplinary research and practice within child and adolescent mental health. We do this through publication of new research findings and dissemination of innovative practices. We are a membership organisation that brings together professionals from a range of disciplines to advance standards and support the professional development of all those working to support the mental health of children and young people.

New tracks tagged #Tourettes