What is TS?
The following excerpts(s) were taken from and are given full copyrighted credit to the
Tourette Syndrome Association (www.tsa-usa.org). Under no circumstances, do I own
the rights to this information, even though I have TS. This information was picked to
aid the online audience in becoming more aware of Tourette Syndrome and was
meant to add to the factual analysis of the causes of TS.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
According to the Tourette Syndrome Association, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
(Tourette Syndrome or TS) is a neurological disorder which 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 involuntary (outside the patient's control) 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. Associated conditions can
include attentional problems (ADHD/ADD, impulsiveness (and oppositional defiant
disorder), obsessional compulsive behavior, and learning disabilities. There is
usually a family history of tics, Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, OCD. Tourette Syndrome
and other tic disorders occur in all ethnic groups. Males are affected 3 to 4 times more
often than females.
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. A goal of TSA is to 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.
Tourette Syndrome Association (www.tsa-usa.org). Under no circumstances, do I own
the rights to this information, even though I have TS. This information was picked to
aid the online audience in becoming more aware of Tourette Syndrome and was
meant to add to the factual analysis of the causes of TS.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
According to the Tourette Syndrome Association, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
(Tourette Syndrome or TS) is a neurological disorder which 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 involuntary (outside the patient's control) 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. Associated conditions can
include attentional problems (ADHD/ADD, impulsiveness (and oppositional defiant
disorder), obsessional compulsive behavior, and learning disabilities. There is
usually a family history of tics, Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, OCD. Tourette Syndrome
and other tic disorders occur in all ethnic groups. Males are affected 3 to 4 times more
often than females.
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. A goal of TSA is to 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.
| The previously mentioned excerpt(s) are fully Copyrighted to: ©2007-2009 Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. 42-40 Bell Boulevard / Bayside NY 11361 / 718-224-2999 |
MyTourettesBlog.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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