to pursue a diagnosis for Tourettes?

[PeppaTheFirst]

Has anyone pursued an assessment for a medical condition as an adult and if so was it worth getting a diagnosis?

I have started working with someone who has Tourette's Syndrome and have now realised the condition doesn't have to have swearing as a symptom. Having now researched this condition I think there is a strong possibility I have it. I have had tics since pre-school and used to have assessments at the hospital throughout childhood and early teens. I have motor tics, which I am still affected by on a day-to-day basis, although they are much more controlled and 'small' in movement. However, they can become quite profound in times of stress. I had verbal tics for years but these tailed off in my 20s and I seem to be able to control these now. I spoke to my mum who can't remember Tourettes being mentioned by the paediatrician, but I am unsure as to how much understanding of the condition there would have been in the 80's and early 90's particularly as there was the absence of swearing. Experiencing some stress at the moment and my tics are quite noticeable, which makes me self-conscious - particularly with colleagues/people who have only known me as an adult. I answer 'yes' to several questions on a Tourettes ticklist. Is it worth getting an assessment as an adult - particulalry for a condition that has no cure and one that I can manage to a large extent on a day to-day-basis. Would it look strange wanting a diagnosis in my late 30s?

I wouldn't say it looks strange by itself.

I think what I would be doing is asking what can be done in terms of symptomatic relief and anxiety management. That may lead (or not) to a diagnosis, but most importantly it might at least give you some peace of mind.

I don't think it's unreasonable at all - and maybe your GP would be able to access your childhood notes so you aren't just relying on your mum's memory.

A good friend of mine was diagnosed with Tourettes in his late 30s. He didn't have the classic symptoms that most people are familiar with at all. All I had ever noticed was that he had a compulsion to mimic people, and some physical tics which weren't obvious at all - his was a need to stretch his arm repeatedly for example.

However, when he told me about his diagnosis, he said he had been suppressing the symptoms for 20 years. It was a relief to him to be diagnosed and actually tell people about it. I hope it can allow him to relax and live with it a bit better (I havent seen him beacause he lives abroad). So I think yes, in his case pursuing a diagnosis in his 30s has helped.

He lives in the States though, so their healthcare, and the expectation to get answers from their doctors is different.

That is interesting, Pawprints. I think it would be a relief - but I kind of wondered if would be a case of 'I have the diagnosis but what would I do with it?' But perhaps there would be some behavioural strategies etc I could have access to. I have been thinking back to my childhood, which was overall very happy, but there were some unpleasant episodes/incidences that directly related to my tics. It would also be nice to be able to have an answer that wasn't just 'Peppa is an overly anxious person', which I think was the ultimate diagnosis I was eventually given by the hospital. To a degree I feel I am still viewed in this way by certain people even though I am now quite a secure, independent professional - I just happen to have some 'habits' I can't seem to shake off!!.