'Tics, and Tic Disorders; the sudden onsets and influences of the pandemic' - Dr. Tammy Hedderly

Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH)

DOI: 10.13056/acamh.15445
We are proud to bring you the third 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. Tammy Hedderly, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist established and leads the Tics and Neurodevelopmental Movement Service or 'TANDeM service' at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
Tammy gives an overview tics, tic disorders and Tourette syndrome are, and the work of the TANDem service. The conversation moves to findings in Tammy's recent paper, in particular, three groups are identified. Firstly, some people, who have tics and tic disorders already, are experiencing an increase in the intensity and frequency since the pandemic started. Secondly, people who may have had very mild tics but because of the situation of the pandemic, potentially led them to meet a threshold for diagnosis for a tic disorder. And finally, a group of adolescent females where it seems almost like a complete and sudden onset in these adolescents.
Tammy also offers advice, for both parents and clinicians, as to the type of questions to ask, how to manage tics, and the difference this could make.