Editing Tourette syndrome (section)

=== Psychoeducation and social support ===
{{Further|Management of Tourette syndrome#Psychoeducation and social support}}
Knowledge, education and understanding are uppermost in management plans for tic disorders,<ref name=Singer2011 /> and [[psychoeducation]] is the first step.{{sfnp|Müller-Vahl|2013|p=623}}<ref name= EuropeanPartII/> A child's parents are typically the first to notice their tics;{{sfnp|Müller-Vahl|2013|p=625}} they may feel worried, imagine that they are somehow responsible, or feel burdened by misinformation about Tourette's.{{sfnp|Müller-Vahl|2013|p=623}} Effectively educating parents about the diagnosis and providing [[social support]] can ease their anxiety. This support can also lower the chance that their child will be unnecessarily medicated{{sfnp|Müller-Vahl|2013|loc=p. 626; "Quite often, the unimpaired child receives medical treatment to reduce tics, when instead the parents should more appropriately receive psychoeducation and social support to better cope with the condition"}} or experience an exacerbation of tics due to their parents' emotional state.<ref name= Martino2018 />

People with Tourette's may suffer socially if their tics are viewed as "bizarre". If a child has disabling tics, or tics that interfere with social or academic functioning, supportive [[psychotherapy]] or school accommodations can be helpful.<ref name=WhatisTS /> Even children with milder tics may be angry, depressed or have low self-esteem as a result of increased teasing, bullying, rejection by peers or social stigmatization, and this can lead to social withdrawal. Some children feel empowered by presenting a peer awareness program to their classmates.<ref name= Efron2018 />{{sfnp|Müller-Vahl|2013|p=628}}{{sfnp|Pruitt|Packer|2013|pp=646–647}} It can be helpful to educate teachers and school staff about typical tics, how they fluctuate during the day, how they impact the child, and how to distinguish tics from naughty behavior. By learning to identify tics, adults can refrain from asking or expecting a child to stop ticcing,{{sfnp|Müller-Vahl|2013|p=629}}{{sfnp|Pruitt|Packer|2013|pp=646–647}} because "tic suppression can be exhausting, unpleasant, and attention-demanding and can result in a subsequent rebound bout of tics".{{sfnp|Müller-Vahl|2013|p=629}}

Adults with TS may withdraw socially to avoid stigmatization and discrimination because of their tics.{{sfnp|Müller-Vahl|2013|p=627}} Depending on their country's healthcare system, they may receive social services or help from support groups.{{sfnp|Müller-Vahl|2013|p=633}}