Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month...

Did you know that May 15th - June 15th is Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month?

What is Tourette syndrome?

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. The disorder is named after Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a pioneering French neurologist in the 1800s. Tourette syndrome becomes evident in early childhood or adolescence before the age of 18 years.  Tourette syndrome is defined by multiple motor and vocal tics lasting for more than one year.  The first symptoms usually are involuntary movements (tics) of the face, arms, limbs or trunk.  These tics are frequent, repetitive and rapid.  The most common first symptom is a facial tic (eye blink, nose twitch, grimace), and is replaced or added to by other tics of the neck, trunk, and limbs.

          These tics occur as involuntary actions, usually outside the patient's control. The tics may also be complicated, involving the entire body, such as kicking and stamping. Many persons report what are described as premonitory urges -- the urge to perform a motor activity. Other symptoms such as touching, repetitive thoughts and movements and compulsions can occur.

          There are also verbal tics.  These verbal tics (vocalizations) usually occur with the movements.  These vocalizations include grunting, throat clearing, shouting and barking.  The verbal tics may also be expressed as coprolalia (the involuntary use of obscene words or socially inappropriate words and phrases) or copropraxia (obscene gestures). Despite widespread publicity, coprolalia/copropraxia is uncommon with tic disorders.

          Neither echolalia (echo speech) or coprolalia/copropraxia is necessary for the diagnosis of Tourette syndrome.  However, for a confirmed diagnosis of TS both involuntary movements and vocalizations must be present.  Echo phenomena are also reported, although less frequently.  These may include repeating word of others (echolalia), repeating ones own words (palilalia), and repeating movements of others.

          Although the symptoms of TS vary from person to person and range from very mild to severe, the majority of cases fall into the mild category. Co-occurring conditions can include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/ Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD/ADD), impulsivity, and obsessive compulsive behavior.  There is usually a family history of tics, Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders occur in all ethnic groups.  Males are affected 3 to 4 times more often than females.

           A child with Tourette Syndrome in the classroom may bear the outward appearance of a child with behavior problems: defiant, stubborn, emitting sounds, displaying unusual physical mannerisms, unwilling to cooperate. He or she may be disciplined for things he or she cannot control and given low grades for things he or she cannot accomplish. They are probably teased and sometimes imitated by other students.

          Most people with TS and other tic disorders will lead productive lives.  There are no barriers to achievement in their personal and professional lives.  Persons with TS can be found in all professions. It's important for people to be aware and to get informed about this condition to avoid unnecessary stigma. It's also important educate both patients and the public of the many facets of tic disorders.  Increased public understanding and tolerance of TS symptoms are of paramount importance to people with Tourette Syndrome.

Sources:

http://tsa-usa.org

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm