Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is widely associated with inappropriate swearing in public.

In fact, it is a complex and debilitating neurological disorder which is estimated to affect about 1% of the population.

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What are the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome?

The most common symptom are repetitive, rapid, sudden movements called tics.

Tics, which can be verbal or physical, come in a broad range of types. They are defined in two broad categories:

• Simple tics: including shoulder shrugging, eye blinking, tongue clicking, and sniffing.

• Complex tics: including jumping, twirling about, uttering words out of context, inappropriate swearing, and echolalia (repeating a sound, word, or phrase just heard).

In relatively rare instances, people with TS may bite or hit themselves.

There is no one single pattern of symptoms. Some people have very mild symptoms, whereas for others the symptoms may be very severe.

By and large, these symptoms are outside the control of the sufferer.

It may be possible to suppress them for periods of time, but the tension and stress which this generates is likely to lead to a particularly severe bout.

Conversely, relaxation or concentration on an absorbing task may help to reduce symptoms.

People with TS may also show symptoms of other psychological disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive and ritualistic behaviour, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep disorders, or learning disabilities.

Who gets Tourette Syndrome?

In some cases the condition is inherited. However, although the child of a person with the inherited form of the condition stands a 50% chance of inheriting the rogue gene, this does not necessarily mean that they will develop symptoms.

Boys who have the gene responsible for TS are more likely to develop symptoms than girls.

TS may also appear out of the blue, when it is known as sporadic TS.

What causes the condition?

The exact cause of the condition is not yet known. However, it is thought to be linked to abnormalities in the way the brain processes key chemicals such as dopamine, which is used to send messages between cells.

How is it treated?

There is no cure for TS, but it can be effectively treated through the use of therapy, or in a limited number of cases, drugs.

Various types of therapy have been shown to work, including psychotherapy, behavioural therapy and relaxation therapy.

Perhaps the most important factor is that the sufferer has the support and understanding of their family and friends.

Because of the apparently bizarre nature of the symptoms, people with TS can find it difficult to integrate effectively into society.

This feeling of rejection can lead to psychological damage.

Do some people ever recover spontaneously?

For many people symptoms do get better as they get older.

Some people experience some marked improvement in their late teens or early twenties.

There are several reports of a complete remission of symptoms.