Tourette Syndrome Research Paper

So what exactly is Tourette Syndrome (TS)? This is a question that many may not be able to answer with confidence. Popular videos on the internet and shows on TV create an image of individuals with TS as angry, uncontrollable people. These people display periods of rage, yelling phrases, uncontrollable body movements, and shouting swear words. However, there is more to Tourette’s than just that. TS is a neurological condition which causes people to make repetitive, quick movements or sounds they cannot control. These movements or sounds are referred to as tics. Tourette got its name from Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a French neurologist who first saw the condition in 1885 in a French noblewoman. Symptoms of TS usually begin in childhood, around the ages of five and 10 years. Usually beginning with mild tics, Tourette’s is known to have increasing frequency and variety of tics over time. (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. 2013)

The next question that may come to someone's mind is what causes Tourette’s?

Although there is no specific cause that has been discovered, many ideas do exist. TS is thought to be an effect of both environmental and genetic factors. On the genetics side of causes, no specific gene has been identified but genetic mutation has been acknowledged as a possible cause. On the environmental side of causes, brain abnormalities have been known to play a role. These abnormalities are certain brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters which include dopamine and serotonin. TS is said to be about four times more probable to occur in males than in females. Males are more likely to have chronic tics whereas females have more obsessive-compulsive traits. (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet.

2013)
Diagnosis of TS usually starts with the observation of a patient for one year by a doctor, within this year they must show both vocal and motor tics sometimes the existence of irregular symptoms, specialty expertise may be required. In these rare cases, neuroimaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalogram studies, or certain blood test may be used to rule out other conditions that might be confused with TS. Common criteria to diagnose Tourette’s include these:
Both motor tics and vocal tics must be present, although not necessarily at the same time.
Tics occur several times a day, nearly everyday, for more than a year. There must not be a break in tics for more than a three- month period.
The onset of tics occur before the age of 18.
Tics are not caused by medications, other substances, or another medical condition. (Tourette. 2014)
It is not uncommon for diagnosis of Tourette’s to be delayed because family and even doctors are sometimes unfamiliar with the symptoms or confuse them with a different problem. For example, eye blinking may be associated with vision problems or stifling could be confused with allergies. There are other serious health problems that associate with Tourette’s which can also cause vocal or motor tics, in which case other testing will be used. (Gordon I. 2014)
These other problems that come up during diagnoses are known as complications. People with Tourette’s have a normal life span and usually live a healthy, active life. However, TS can increase other Challenges. These other related conditions include:
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Learning disabilities
Sleep disorders
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Anger control issues
Impulsive behavior
Poor social skills (Harry S. Abram M. 2011)
Along with some of these related conditions, Tourette’s has specific symptoms of its own. The most common first symptom is a tic of the face, which may be followed by other tics. Symptoms of TS can range from minor, tiny movements to constant movements or sounds that cannot be controlled. Tics may occur many different times throughout that day but they usually improve or get worse at different times. Contrary to popular belief, very few people use swear words or other inappropriate language. It is not usual for they type of tics a patient has to change over time. Tics are classified as either simple tics, which are sudden, brief and repetitive, involving only a few muscle groups, or complex tics. Complex tics are distinct, coordinated movements that involve several muscle groups. Motor tics most often occur before vocal tics do. The type of tics people experience are very diverse, but these are a few simple tics:
Motor
Eye blinking
Shoulder shrugging Head jerking
Eye darting
Finger flexing
Sticking tongue out
Vocal
Hiccupping
Yelling
Throat clearing
Barking
More severe syndromes are complex tics, they include
Motor
Touching other people or themselves
Smelling objects
Obscene gesturing
Arm flapping
Hopping
Vocal
Different tones of voice
Repeating words or phrases
Using vulgar language (Becky Ottinger. 2015)
As imaginable, life with Tourette’s can be a daily struggle and these symptoms can seem strange to anyone unfamiliar with the condition. People in public places may not understand why someone would have a tic, without even knowing they cannot help it. The following is a real life story of a person diagnosed with TS and still lived an amazing life. (Tourette. 2014)
Jeremy Stenberg is a 33 year-old professional freestyle motocross rider and professional off-road truck racer. Stenberg has received his nickname “Twitch” from his case of Tourette’s syndrome, which he was diagnosed with at the age of eight. In his case of Tourette’s, he has same tics where he shakes his head when he is nervous. Even with his case of Tourette’s, he has many accomplishments in the X Games. Some of the more recent metals he got are:
2010 X Games Speed & Freestyle-Bronze
2010 X Games Best Whip-Bronze
2011 X Games Best Whip- Gold
2012 X Games Best Whip- Gold
2014 Moto X Whip Silver Metal (Alh Monica Lee. 2012)
By all of Stenberg’s major accomplishments it shows that even if some one has Tourette’s, they still can achieve their dreams. He still currently rides Motocross to this day and is living his dream. (Alh Monica Lee. 2012)
When a patient receives a diagnosis, there is no cure. However there are treatments created to help control tics that can get in the way of everyday activities and functioning. Often time people with minor symptoms are not treated with medications because the side effects can be worse than the symptoms. Things that are taken into consideration when treating Tourette’s include
The patients age, overall health, and medical history
The extent of disruption caused by the tics
Patients tolerance for medications, procedures, and therapy’s (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. 2013)
The two main choices for treating Tourette’s are medication and therapy. There is no single medication that treats everyone with TS, and all of them come with certain risks or side effects. Certain medication options include drugs that block the neurotransmitter dopamine, Botox injections, stimulant medications, central adrenergic inhibitors, and antidepressants. Therapy options include psychotherapy, behavior therapy, and deep brain stimulation. (Tourette. 2014)
The background, causes, diagnosis, complications, and treatment of TS can make it a complicated and complex condition. Tourette’s can be difficult to live with because of its non-discrete tics. Tics can affect a person’s daily life but with the proper treatment or medication, TS can be a manageable disorder. (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. 2013)