Measuring Anger Expression in Young Patients with Tourette Syndrome

Young patients with Tourette Syndrome (TS) can exhibit poor emotional control and aggression. We explored anger in young patients with TS. Twenty-five patients diagnosed with TS and 41 healthy controls completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI). Parents and teachers completed the child behavior checklist and Conners Parent/Teacher Rating Scales-Revised. STAXI scores were not significantly different between patients with TS and controls. However, many proxy-rated measures linked to anger and externalizing problems were significantly higher in TS. As proxy-rated instruments revealed more oppositional and aggressive behaviors in young patients with TS, they are important in the multidimensional assessment of TS. These findings offer useful insights into the nature of anger symptoms in young patients with TS and provide a basis for more effective diagnosis and management.