Here at Diverse Diagnostics, every assessment will be completed online, in a comprehensive manner, by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. The assessment process may vary depending on the diagnosis given, but our consultants will let you know since the first appointment what the process will look like for your own case. The assessment includes a feedback session, where the consultant will explain to the patient and family the final diagnosis, what it means, and the next steps to be taken.

**When medical treatment is required, we provide prescriptions only under “Shared Care” with your General Physician (GP); therefore, your GP will need to agree prior to the initial medication appointment to provide NHS prescriptions. All medication reviews will be under the consultant at Diverse Diagnostics, who will be responsible for the prescription and dosage specifications.**

What causes tics?

Many times tics come with an underlying mental health disorder, such as anxiety for example, and by treating the anxiety, tics can be improved. Other conditions, such as ADHD or OCD are also common comorbidities.

When to look for medical help?

It is known that up to 24% of children have transient tics, and it is estimated that between 1-10 per 1000 children have chronic tics. Tourette syndrome is when a young individual has motor and phonic tics.

Only if the examination shows something abnormal, the patient will require a neurologist referral for further studies. However, most of the cases do not require further exams and do not require treatment.

Treatment is only indicated when the tics are having an impact on the patient’s daily life tasks and causing them discomfort. Other than medication, the most common treatment is CBT (habit reversal therapy, where the young person learns intentional movements that overlap with tics).