About TS > Diagnosis
Diagnosis
For TS to be diagnosed, multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic must be present over a period of at least twelve months, without a break of more than three months.
Some doctors may use an EEG, MRI, CT scan, or certain blood tests to rule out other conditions that might be confused with TS such as epilepsy, autism, dystonia and Sydenham’s chorea. TS can only be diagnosed by observing and evaluating the symptoms. There are rating scales to help with the assessment of tic severity.
Tourettes Action maintain a list of consultants in the UK who are familiar with TS. If you'd like to receive a copy, contact us.
For information on what you can expect from an appointment with a consultant, you might like to download our guide to Seeing a Specialist.
The 'Seeing a Specialist' guide is taken from our 'PracTical Guide', a source of over 100 pages of information on living with Tourette Syndrome. The Guide is available to supporters of Tourettes Action. Click here to find out more about supporting TA.
We would like to hear about your experience of getting a diagnosis.
Please click here to tell us the good and the bad.
Please note that we will not be able to respond to messages submitted on this page. If you have questions about Tourette Syndrome, please contact our Helpdesk.
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