Tourette Syndrome and sleep

Some people with TS encounter various sleep-related challenges. These can include poor sleep quality, frequent awakenings, unpleasant dreams, sleepwalking, and talking during sleep, as well as nightmares. Approximately 80% of individuals with TS experience sleep-related problems; which is more than that of the general population.

Medications prescribed for managing tics or other related concerns may influence sleep patterns. If your child has additional conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or anxiety, it's essential to consider whether these conditions might contribute to sleep difficulties. It might be worth discussing this with your clinical team.

Insufficient sleep can have a significant impact on your child’s daily life, possibly leading to feelings of anxiety about sleep, weak memory and concentration, irritability and possible behaviour problems. Night-time disturbances, such as getting up during the night, may also disrupt the sleep of other family members.

The following are some initial steps to consider implementing to assist your child in improving their sleep patterns:

• Exercise in the late afternoon – walk home from school rather than take the bus, play a game in the garden or park, or go for a swim.
• Check the bedroom is dark enough to sleep – you can get ‘blackout’ lining for your curtains if streetlights shine in through the window.
• Avoid food or drinks containing caffeine within six hours of bedtime – this includes hot chocolate, coffee, tea (besides some herbal teas) and certain fizzy drinks.
• Keep to a routine – wake up and go to bed at the same time each day, whether a weekday or at the weekend or holidays.
• If your child has have a bad night’s sleep, try not to let them make up for it by napping the following day – this will just break their routine and leave them playing ‘catch up’.
• Avoid screen time - in the hour before bed, leave any electronic devices, including tablets, computers, mobile phones, etc. outside the bedroom.
• Develop a bedtime routine and stick to it. We have included a few ideas on what your child’s bedtime routine could include:

You and your child should pick tasks or activities that are calming and relaxing for your child, for example:

• Have a warm (not hot) bath with some relaxing bubble bath.
• Do a few gentle stretches to relax muscles.
• Listen to relaxation music or sounds, such as gentle sea or rainforest sounds.
• Read a book or listen to calming music.

If these recommendations prove ineffective and sleep troubles persist, it is advisable to talk to your family doctor (GP) about this. They may then explore the possibility of referring you to another healthcare professional for further assistance.

Sleep diary

One approach you may be asked to consider is recording a sleep diary for a brief period for your child. This would be to identify potential triggers contributing to a bad night's sleep.

Additionally, some medications used to manage tics can also have a positive impact on sleep. For example, medications such as risperidone and clonidine have sedative effects, potentially aiding in sleep if taken at night. Another option is melatonin, a synthetic version of a naturally occurring hormone that promotes sleep. However, it is crucial to consult your doctor before considering any medication to address sleep issues.