A member of the cast of Big Brother Brasil 2023, professional fighter Antônio Carlos, better known as “Cara de Sapato”, has recently become a topic on social networks. That’s because the repetitive movements he usually makes with his mouth raised questions among the public.
In a conversation with brothers, in the most watched house in Brazil, the athlete clarified the matter and revealed that he was diagnosed, at the age of 7, with Tourette’s Syndrome. And, despite the fact that, for 26 years, the Associação Solidária do OCD e Syndrome de Tourette (ASTOC) has existed in Brazil, the recent repercussion on the subject has demonstrated society’s lack of knowledge about the condition.
For this reason, psychiatrist Dr. Jessica Martani, specialist in human behavior and mental health, clarifies what the disease is, what the symptoms are and how to treat it. Check out!
What is Tourette’s Syndrome?
According to Dr. Jessica Martani, Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disease which, despite not having a definite cause, is characterized by involuntary and repetitive movements, such as motor and vocal tics.
“This syndrome is misunderstood regarding its causes, but today we know that there are genetic factors that can cause these neurochemical changes. However, there are already reports of the diagnosis of people with this syndrome after suffering head trauma”, says the doctor.
Symptoms of the condition
As the professional explains, in the vast majority of cases, the symptoms are involuntary motor tics caused by the nervous system and which are the first to appear, such as:
- Blink;
- frown;
- Repeat words;
- Faces;
- Repeatedly move the fingers of the hands;
- Kick;
- Shaking the head (moves that usually occur between 4 and 6 years old).
In vocal tics, it is possible to encompass acts such as spitting, moaning, hiccupping, wiping the throat and speak inappropriate words. “Everyone can be repetitive and difficult to control”, reveals the professional.
Diagnosis
Generally, the symptoms of the syndrome are presented before the age of 18, still in childhood or adolescence. It is common that they are associated with other disorders and other adversities. “The main problems are associated with the difficulty in the child’s socialization, which can cause shocks in self-esteem, leading to other mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression and impairments in adult life that can affect even professional life”, warns Dr. Jessica Martani.
In order to make a proper diagnosis, the expert explains that parents should be aware of the signs that children usually show. “O diagnosis it is done by a specialist doctor, but it is worth paying attention to the symptoms that may appear on a daily basis, for at least one year; hence, imaging tests and medical evaluation that can rule out other diagnoses are essential”, says the professional.
Treatment for the syndrome
Although the disease has no cure, Dr. Jessica explains that she can be controlled. However, for this, it is essential that treatment be done with a neurologist. It is often still important to intervene psychiatric doctor and the psychologist – since the multidisciplinary action may require psychotherapy to controlled medication, botulinum toxin injections and even the practice of physical exercises.
By Mayara Barreto
Source: Maxima
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.