4: Cultural Differences in Tics and Tic Disorders - ‘In Conversation Tourettes Syndrome’

Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH)

DOI: 10.13056/acamh.20929
We are delighted to bring you the fourth podcast in our series that focuses on Tourettes Syndrome. Dr. Seonaid Anderson will be talking to leading players in the field, rising stars of research, clinicians, and experts by experience. In this podcast we speak to Dr. Tara Murphy, Consultant Paediatric Neuropsychologist and Clinical Psychologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Dr. Murphy currently co-leads the Tic Disorder Service and Paediatric Neuropsychology Service.
The focus of this podcast is on cultural differences in tics and tic disorders.
Tara begins by providing an overview of what tic disorders and Tourette’s syndrome are, before exploring the gender bias of Tourette’s syndrome and what other co-morbidities or co-occurring conditions can occur alongside it.
With a number of misunderstandings existing about this condition, Tara comments on the issue of swearing and Tourette’s syndrome, and discusses research into self-harm and suicidality in the Tourette’s syndrome community.
Tara then explores whether there are differences between cultures or countries in terms of the expression of Tourette’s syndrome and shares why she is interested in researching tics and Tourette’s syndrome in different cultures or countries.
Tara also comments on a recent paper entitled “Why Don’t Children in Uganda Have Tics? A mixed-methods study of beliefs, knowledge and attitudes of health professionals”. She then discusses why Tourette’s syndrome may be just as prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa or in certain communities but access to services and health care may make it appear under-represented.
Furthermore, Tara explores what we might be able to learn from countries or communities where tic impact seems low, what the importance is of the awareness and acceptance of tics in the community, as well as the impact of social factors.