Tourette Syndrome Introduction

Tourette Syndrome is also referred to as Tourette’s Disorder, Tourette’s, TS and sometimes Tourette Spectrum Disorder.

Tourette Syndrome is best defined in archives and pages of neurological conditions, syndromes, and disorders. Initially Tourette Syndrome was seen as extremely rare and an individual was viewed as having violent muscle contortions (motor tics) and vocal disruptions (vocal tics) combined with outburst of swearing and obscenities. (Tourette history) However Dr. David E. Comings writes in Tourette Syndrome and Human Behavior, "...TS is one of most common genetic conditions affecting humanity and many more carry trait."

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Tourette Syndrome / Tourettes Disorder – TS / TD is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary body movements and vocal outbursts (Tics) for at least 12 months.

Note there are no longer any requirements for severity or impairment.

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Tourette Syndrome is named after a French physician, Georges Gilles de la Tourette, who first described Tourette it in 1885. Tourette Syndrome commonly appears in childhood, more often in males than females, and may worsen thereafter or subside. The absolute cause of Tourette Syndrome is unknown, nonetheless many theories and advanced information has increased considerably since 1885.

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No cure yet exists, but symptoms are often treatable with various RX medications, behavioral therapy and alternative treatments. It should be noted that there is not any peer reviewed scientific evidence, yet, of success with "alternative therapies." Even results of behavioral therapy are unclear long-term, and are going to be studied on a well-designed TSA grant possibly starting in 2004.

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The "tics" symptoms involving Tourette Syndrome are known to temporarily aggravate with increased stress. Also tics can wax and wane or come and go through out patients life. It is also normal for tics to change and return. Some of Tourette tics can be suppressed for small periods of time, however generally return with greater aggravation. It should also be noted that most persons with Tourette Syndrome do not require medication for their tics.

Neurodevelopmental disorders including Tourette Syndrome can have substantial overlap with other disorders. There is a possibility of common co-morbid conditions found in patients with Tourette Syndrome though they are not required for diagnosis. ("co-morbid" means The presence of one or more disorders (or diseases) in addition to a primary disease or disorder.) Examples are Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder OCD, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD.

All of available information about co-morbid conditions in regard to Tourette Syndrome isn't clear and is considered a complicated subject between clinicians and researchers.

Patients with Tourette's Syndrome who have other conditions as well, may be at increased risk for a whole host of other problems, but many of problems may not be due to Tourette Syndrome but to other conditions they may have.

Some of other conditions and/or terms you may find discused in circles that deal with Tourette Syndrome are: Tourette Syndrome "Plus", Tourette Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Depression Disorders, Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections PANDAS, Sensory Integrative Dysfunction SID, Rage Attacks - Storms, Sleep Disorders, Disinhibition.

There are people with Tourette Syndrome that have no other co-morbid conditions, disorders or problem behaviors. They could be referred to as having "TS-Only." They would meet minimal DSM criteria for Tourettes Disorder.

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One of less common possible symptoms of Tourettes yet most highly publicized would be Coprolalia (outburst of obscenities and curse words).

Coprolalia is actually very uncommon in Tourette Syndrome and is not required for a diagnosis.

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