Hypnotherapy for Tourette Syndrome: A Case of Transformation
When someone arrives with a diagnosis — whether it’s Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or Trichotillomania — I don’t treat the label.
I work with the person.
Their thoughts. Their emotions. Their memories. Their inner urges — the ones that are often invisible from the outside, but deeply disruptive inside.
Because that’s where real change begins.
In this post, I use an example of hypnotherapy for Tourette Syndrome to show how hypnotherapy can support clients with complex neurological conditions. Not by “fixing” them, but by helping them access what their symptoms are really trying to express — and offering the mind a healthier, more empowering way forward.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological condition, usually diagnosed in childhood — most often in boys — characterized by motor tics (such as blinking, grimacing, or shrugging) and vocal tics (like grunting or repeating words).
It is estimated that TS affects 1 in 200 children, primarily boys1. While the exact cause is unknown, TS is believed to involve both genetic and neurochemical factors.
A key aspect of TS is the urge that comes before a tic — a buildup of tension or inner pressure that temporarily releases when the tic occurs. This urge is crucial to understand, and it’s often where hypnotherapy can do its most effective work.
Mainstream Treatment Approaches
Conventional treatment for Tourette Syndrome focuses on reducing tics23, often through:
- Medications like antipsychotics (e.g. Haloperidol)
- Behavioral therapy, such as Habit Reversal Therapy
- Psychotherapy or cognitive interventions for emotional support
While some clients benefit, others experience little change or unwanted side effects. And often, the internal urge — and accompanying obsessive-compulsive traits — remain untouched.
Why I Believed Hypnotherapy Could Help
Before starting with my client diagnosed with TS, I did thorough research — and more importantly, I listened to what existing case studies456 and my experience told me. I was confident that hypnotherapy could make a real difference. Here’s why:
1. The urge is a window
The presence of an urge before a tic is something hypnotherapy can work with directly. This urge isn’t random. It’s a signal. The unconscious mind has created this pattern to meet a need — whether it’s a response to stress, suppressed expression, or unresolved tension. In trance, we can address the need behind the urge and replace it with a new, more functional inner response.
2. TS often starts when expression is restricted.
Tourette Syndrome typically begins in school-age boys — a time when children are expected to sit still, follow rules, and stay quiet. Boys are three to four times more likely to develop TS than girls, and it’s widely acknowledged that girls, on average, tend to be more compliant in structured settings. This pressure to suppress natural impulses may contribute to the emergence of tics in sensitive children.
In his book The Encyclopedia of Ailments and Diseases, Jacques Martel7 describes tics and vocalizations as an unconscious response to suppressed movement or speech. While symbolic, this insight resonated with what emerged in my client’s sessions: the symptom wasn’t just neurological — it was emotional and developmental too.
A well-known feature of Tourette Syndrome is the variability of tics, which challenges the idea that they are purely the result of hardwired neurological dysfunction:
- Tics often worsen during emotional stress, illness, fatigue, or excitement
- They may intensify during adolescence, when teenagers become more self-conscious, and then decrease or fade away entirely after adolescence.
- Their form tends to evolve over time, for example shifting from head movements to hand gestures, or from vocal to motor expressions.
- They are often less frequent in safe, relaxed environments — such as at home or when the person feels at ease.
To me as a hypnotherapist, these patterns strongly suggest that there is unconscious control involved — and that tics are influenced by emotional states, internal pressure, and environmental context.
When I first encountered this information, it wasn’t just interesting — it was an “aha” moment. It made clear that if the mind has influence over these patterns, then it can also be guided to release or reshape them through therapeutic work. That’s the space where hypnotherapy becomes powerful: not by suppressing symptoms, but by shifting the internal dynamics that sustain them.
3. I didn’t want to suppress the symptoms — I wanted to release the root cause.
While research and published cases focus on reducing tics, my aim was broader and deeper. I wanted to resolve the urge itself and address the obsessive-compulsive thinking and behaviors that kept my client trapped in mental loops. My goal was to help him not just manage — but feel freedom.
My Client’s Transformation
When this 18-year-old began working with me, he was stuck in a cycle of tics, urges, and obsessive thinking. Medications hadn’t helped.
He had been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at school. While no direct medical explanation was identified at the time, genetic inheritance and physical childhood traumas were believed to have contributed to the development of symptoms.
Over five sessions, Milan (name changed for privacy) and I did profound inner work.
We didn’t focus on “stopping” the tics. We explored:
- The need behind the urge
- His sense of self-worth, working to raise self-esteem, and reconnect with his intrinsic value
- Practical tools that helped him experience real control over his reactions – which in turn restored his belief in himself
Already after the third session, the change was undeniable. The tics had drastically reduced. The urge to tic — once constant — had lost its power. His obsessive thoughts were no longer dictating his behavior.
While the urge and tics had already diminished significantly after three sessions, we continued the full five-session program to consolidate the change. My work doesn’t stop at resolving the root causes — it also focuses on building new patterns of thinking, emotional regulation, and behavior. This helps clients not only feel better but also live with more confidence, self-trust, and resilience in the long term.
By the final session, Milan described feeling something simple yet profound:
lightness and freedom from the behaviors that once felt inescapable.
Even more telling were the words of his mother: “He is like a different person.”
What Made Such Profound Change Possible
Hypnosis and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) were the core tools that made this transformation possible.
By working directly with the unconscious mind, we addressed the urge behind the tics, reframed outdated coping mechanisms, and reprogrammed emotional patterns that no longer served him.
This kind of change doesn’t happen by suppressing the urge or controlling the behavior through willpower. It comes from a deep shift in mindset and self-perception — one that makes the urge itself unnecessary.
Also, deep and lasting transformation depends on the client’s unique context and readiness for change. In Milan’s case, three additional success factors made a remarkable difference:
1. Strong Motivation to Be Free
Tourette Syndrome that begins in childhood can become increasingly disturbing and isolating as a child enters adolescence. The self-consciousness and social impact often grow — and with them, the desire to break free.
Milan was highly motivated. He no longer wanted to feel different, limited, or defined by the condition. This motivation created a powerful inner momentum — without it, even the best therapeutic approach can fall short.
2. Neuroplasticity in Young Adults
At 18, Milan’s brain was still in the prime window of neuroplasticity. The ability to form and strengthen new neural pathways made hypnosis and NLP especially effective. While people over 25 can absolutely benefit, younger clients tend to integrate new habits, reactions, and beliefs faster.
3. Active Participation in the Process
Milan took ownership of his healing. He followed through on every step — listening to custom hypnotic audio, practicing self-hypnosis, and engaging with the neuroscience-based tools I shared with him.
That level of commitment magnified the impact of each session. In contrast, a passive attitude or reliance on the therapist alone can slow or block progress, regardless of age.
What About Other Diagnoses?
Tourette Syndrome is not the only condition marked by urges and compulsive behaviors. Many individuals experience other psychological or behavioral symptoms, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, or difficulties with attention and learning.
That was also the case with my client, who struggled with other obsessive-compulsive symptoms alongside tics.
When you work with the person rather than the diagnosis, you don’t need to treat each symptom in isolation. By addressing the underlying emotional patterns, beliefs, and stress responses, a wide range of issues can shift together — often more effectively than if treated separately.
Several related diagnoses can respond well to hypnotherapy:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety. Like TS, there is a build-up of pressure and a temporary relief. Hypnotherapy can help uncover the emotional logic behind compulsions and transform them from the inside out8.
Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
This condition involves the repeated urge to pull out one’s hair. It’s often a response to tension, boredom, or anxiety. While behavioral strategies can help, hypnotherapy offers the opportunity to replace the urge with a feeling of calm, safety, or self-acceptance — meeting the same unconscious need with a healthier response.
Functional Neurological Disorder
In Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), clients experience neurological symptoms such as tremors, non-epileptic seizures, or speech issues without a clear medical explanation. These symptoms are real and distressing, but they often reflect unconscious emotional conflicts expressed through the body.
One important reason hypnotherapy can be effective for FND is that scientific research has shown these individuals are especially responsive to verbal suggestion.9 An analysis of multiple studies confirmed that people with FND tend to have higher suggestibility than the general population — a trait that may contribute to the development of symptoms and can also support therapeutic change.
What may contribute to a disorder in everyday life becomes a therapeutic strength in hypnosis, where suggestions are used to safely shift subconscious patterns.
Why Hypnotherapy Works When Labels Fall Short
Hypnotherapy is not a “treatment for Tourette Syndrome,” or OCD, or trichotillomania.
It’s a process that works through the person, not on the diagnosis.
It allows clients to:
- Bypass the analytical mind and access the deeper layers of behavior
- Reconnect with unmet needs or suppressed emotions
- Reduce or even eliminate the symptoms that once felt automatic or uncontrollable
Most importantly, it offers a way forward that isn’t based on control or suppression, but on understanding and resolution.
Final Thoughts
A diagnosis can describe a pattern. But it doesn’t tell the whole story.
Behind every tic, compulsion, or unexplained symptom is a person — often a young one — trying to make sense of their world. When the mind creates these patterns, it’s trying to help, even if the results are difficult.
Hypnotherapy helps us meet the mind where it is. And from there, invite it to change.
You can book your free discovery call with me if you are interested in my structured transformational 5-session program:
FAQ: Hypnotherapy for Tourette Syndrome
How does Tourette Syndrome work?
Tourette Syndrome is often described as involving differences in the brain circuits that help regulate movement, impulse control, and behavior. These differences may make individuals more sensitive to internal pressure or tension, which then finds an outlet through tics. In many cases, emotional stress or excitement doesn’t just intensify symptoms — it may be a primary trigger.
My clinical experience suggests that by working with the unconscious drivers of these responses, such as suppressed emotions or coping patterns, it’s possible to reduce or even eliminate both the urge and the tic itself.
Does Tourette Syndrome make you curse?
Only about 10% of people with TS have oprolalia — the involuntary use of obscene words10. Most people with TS have simple tics like blinking, sniffing, or throat clearing.
Is tourette syndrome rare?
Tourette Syndrome affects approximately 1 in 200 children, or about 0.5% of the population. While it may seem rare, the condition is often underdiagnosed, and there’s frequently a delay between the appearance of tics and a formal diagnosis. In children, TS is not rare and deserves more recognition and early intervention from the medical community.
In contrast, Tourette Syndrome in adults is relatively rare, as many individuals experience a reduction in symptoms after adolescence.
When does Tourette Syndrome start?
Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 5 and 10. Boys are more likely to develop TS than girls.
Is Tourette Syndrome inherited?
There’s evidence that TS runs in families, although the exact genes involved remain unclear. Not everyone with a family history of TS will develop it.
Are you born with Tourette’s?
No, although Tourette Syndrome is believed to have a hereditary component, symptoms typically do not appear at birth. They usually develop in early childhood, with the average onset around age 6. In many cases, symptoms may temporarily worsen during the early teenage years before improving in adulthood.
When does Tourette Syndrome start?
Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 5 and 10. Boys are more likely to develop TS than girls.
Can Tourette Syndrome go away?
In many cases, the severity of tics decreases with age, especially after adolescence. Some individuals may see symptoms fade entirely, while others continue to experience them into adulthood. Early support and emotional tools — including hypnotherapy — can positively influence this trajectory.
Can hypnotherapy help with tics?
Yes, in many cases, hypnotherapy can help reduce the frequency and intensity of tics. While tics may appear involuntary, they often respond to changes in emotional state and environment, which suggests there is some level of unconscious control.
Hypnotherapy works by calming the nervous system, addressing internal triggers, and reprogramming habitual responses. For some individuals, this can lead to a significant reduction or even elimination of tics, particularly when paired with motivation and active participation in the process.
Can Tourette Syndrome develop later in life?
It’s rare for Tourette Syndrome to first appear in adulthood. Adult-onset tics are most often associated with other neurological or psychological conditions.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Tourette syndrome ↩︎
- Frey, J., & Malaty, I. (2022). Tourette Syndrome Treatment Updates: A Review and Discussion of the Current and Upcoming Literature. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 22, 123 – 142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-022-01177-8. ↩︎
- Billnitzer, A., & Jankovic, J. (2020). Current Management of Tics and Tourette Syndrome: Behavioral, Pharmacologic, and Surgical Treatments. Neurotherapeutics, 17, 1681 – 1693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-020-00914-6. ↩︎
- Lindner, H., & Stevens, H. (1967). Hypnotherapy and psychodynamics in the syndrome of gilles de La tourette. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 15, 151-155. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207146708407522. ↩︎
- Culbertson, F. (1989). A four-step hypnotherapy model for Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome.. The American journal of clinical hypnosis, 31 4, 252-6 . https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.1989.10402780. ↩︎
- Clements, R. (1972). Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome–an overview of development and treatment of a case, using hypnotherapy, haloperidol, and psychotherapy.. The American journal of clinical hypnosis, 14 3, 167-72 . https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.1972.10402172. ↩︎
- The Encyclopedia of Ailments and Diseases: How to Heal the Conflicted Feelings, Emotions, and Thoughts at the Root of Illness by Jacques Martel. 9781644111895 | 2021 | 608 p. ↩︎
- Obukhov NV. A Multicomponent Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnotic Approach for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment: A Case Study. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2024 Oct-Dec;72(4):418-434. doi: 10.1080/00207144.2024.2391358. Epub 2024 Aug 26. PMID: 39186092. ↩︎
- Wieder L, Brown R, Thompson T, Terhune DB. Suggestibility in functional neurological disorder: a meta-analysis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2021 Feb;92(2):150-157. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323706. Epub 2020 Nov 20. PMID: 33219037. ↩︎
- Hartmann A, Szejko N, Mol Debes N, Cavanna AE, Müller-Vahl K. Is Tourette syndrome a rare condition? F1000Res. 2021 Jun 2;10:434. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.53134.2. ↩︎
