Tourettes or Munchausen by Proxy..?

My fiancee's young nephew was diagnosed with Tourette's approximately 1 year ago while living with his mother. Like his father, he has a funny twitch he makes with his eyes, especially when cold. When he originally moved with his mom, nothing seemed to be wrong. Then she was calling with reports that he developed a head shake (more like a nod) and kids started making fun of him for it at school.

When he came back the next holiday season- sure enough- he had developed a very disturbing head nod...sometimes it was just up-and-down like nodding "yes", sometimes a bit to the side and his eyes would roll and he would have to re-focus on looking forward.

A bit of backstory: His mom has been "accused" (not diagnosed on any level, that I know of) on multiple occasions of having Munchausens, and is even known for making others believe they are sick, and even lying to doctors to get medications to then turn and sell to her "victims". She kept insisting that he developed Tourette's and was pretty out of control in spreading the word and seeking attention with it.

Whenever he comes home from his chaotic life with her...after 1-2 weeks...he's fine. Took him on a trip last weekend, and no tics..not even the old eye squint.

Could she be making him believe he is sick, and (in classic "Mind-over-matter" philosophy) actually be making him have tics? Or does Tourette's really develop and then cease under various circumstances?

I won't be stepping in to this situation any time soon or anything, I guess this information is more for knowledge only. I would much rather understand what might be happening than just "going along" with her story on this one.

sadly to say...he's going home in a few more days.

Hi,

Considering that his father also has this problem, you can't really say that this is being merely caused by her (his mother). However, what could be happening is it is being induced by stress. So many people dvelop so many different responses to cope with stress. It could be that he has developed these odd head movements in response to feelings of stress.

There is a woman who lives in my town who seems to have the same problem as your nephew has. When she is walking, it appears as if she cannot keep her head up straight; as if her neck muscles aren't strong enough.

Anyway, I'm not sure of anything here to be honest, but I'm thinking that what I said in my first paragraph is the most likely to be true.

Kevin

We've always brushed off the eye flinch as a characteristic from his dad (even have him on tape as a kid doing it back in the early 80's). But his dad never had a head-nod or a jerk.

I just don't understand why the doctors said he had TS after two appointments, and he comes home, and is fine....

That is also puzzling to me, but is possibly explained by the stress issue that I was alluding to earlier. Is there any way that you could convey this information to the doctor that diagnosed him? - i.e. tell him that this boy appears fine when he comes home.

Kevin

How active is he when he's with you? I find my tics dissipate with activity, that could explain them.