When is OCD not OCD? The case of Chronic Tic Disorder

I present the case of Jenny, a lady in her 70s who was originally diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – a diagnosis to later be revised to chronic tic disorder. It is important for older adult psychologists to be aware of tic disorders and how they manifest, as the treatment and advice around tic disorders is very different from conventional treatments for OCD. Jenny is keen for anonymised details of her case to be shared in order to aid our understanding of this debilitating condition. Jenny’s case description is followed by a brief explanation of tics, Tourette’s syndrome and signposting to guidance around treatments. I conclude by sharing some of my reflections around supporting Jenny.