--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to Define Tourettes Disorder?

The definition of Tourette Syndrome has changed over time and is not fixed from one person or clinician to another. A definition is intended for clarity among clinicians and researchers. One patients or clinicians definition may not not represent a "thing" that you have.

Tourette Syndrome as defined close to diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV-TR) for Tourette's Disorder could be “Tourette Syndrome is a neurobiological condition resulting in motor and vocal tics.” - tsnowwhat

Some recognize Tourette's as a spectrum disorder, “…with some people having a few tics and others having tics plus features of other (comorbid) conditions such as obsessions, compulsions, inattention, impulsivity, mood variability.” - Leslie Packer PhD

There are those that feel “…Tourette Syndrome rarely exists in isolation and is part of a global neurological dysfunction, which includes but is not limited to tics, and dysinhibition. Where does one draw line? Is “this” a symptom of “Tourette Syndrome” or is it part of “ADHD” or “OCD” or, as does it really matter? Tourette Syndrome is… something more akin to “cross wiring” and reality being that daily function requires one deal with what is thrown at one regardless as to what it is called." - Colleen Wang, Tourette Spectrum Association Inc.

Here again is also a great perception and explination of Tourette Syndrome. "Tourete Syndrome is not a disease, it is a syndrome, a cluster of recognizable patterns. There are no tests for it. The diagnosis is by history and observation only, and boundary is fuzzy. No one has decided how many tics a day are necessary to call it a tic disorder. (Spitting 3 times in school, for example, will probably result in a phone call, whereas 10,000 eye-blinks won't!) Although tics are often described as "rapid" or "sudden," not all are; some tics are "held" or "tonic" movements involving freezing in a position for a few seconds. "Purposeless" is another descriptor, but because many tics are preceded by an uncomfortable feeling to which tic is a response, this word also isn't very satisfactory. The definition is simply a multiple, changing pattern of tics (not necessarily at same time) for at least 12 months, including at least one noise-making tic. (There is no requirement for severity or impairment.) You can have TS and function normally." - Roger D. Freeman, M.D

Reflecting more than 25 years of research; two of leading international authorities on Tourette’s Syndrome and tic-related, obsessive-compulsive disorders narrarate Tourettes this way. "Tourette Syndrome was considered rare and exotic at one time (however now,) Tourette's syndrome is a relatively common childhood-onset disorder defined by persistent motor and vocal tics and frequently associated with obsessions, compulsions, and attentional difficulties." - James F. Leckman, Donald J. Cohen of Yale Child Study Center.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you can read all above oppinions and descriptions vary in definition. Regardless, they will all have similar goals for a Tourette patient. They want a Tourette patient to have support and information they will need to deal with Tourette Syndrome and or any other disorder they experience. The ultimate goal would be for patients and families to live happy and productive lives with joy to best of their abilities.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally a very important subject to understand is; many people diagnosed with Tourette’s Disorder may have a variety of other conditions that they deal with. Nonetheless, Tourette’s Disorder is by DSM-IV-TR definition listed under Childhood / Adolescent,Tic Disorders and characterized by involuntary body movements and vocal, outbursts. Though DSM categorization is under Childhood / Adolescent, Tic Disorders, don't misunderstand this categorization, as it is based on age of onset and diagnosis.

Continue to an in depth Diagnostic Criteria here or jump to our Tourette Information pages here.

Paul Marshall editor@tourettes-disorder.com

http://www.tourettes-disorder.com