Tourette's Syndrome Essay

Do you know what Tourette's Syndrome is? Many people think Tourette’s is when a person swears frequently and uncontrollably. That is called coprolalia, which can be a symptom of Tourette’s but often isn't the most common one. Tourette’s is much more than swearing. The media has shed a light on Tourette's, but maybe not the correct light. While Tourette’s is displayed as playful or inappropriate, it’s far from a laughing matter.

One out of every 360 children have Tourettes. Tourette’s is a neurological disorder, which means that it takes place in the nervous system. It affects males three to four times more than females. There’s no exact known reason as to why. Symptoms begin at ages three to nine, and typically, the first sign is excessive

Tics are defined as brief, repetitive, nonrhythmic, or involuntary movements or sounds. They can be caused by a variety of things. Time pressure, stress, allergies, caffeine, and fatigue can all play a role in the severity of tics. Also illnesses, starting to relax, arousal, and talking about tics can affect the patient's tics.

There are two varieties of tics: motor and vocal. Either type may be classified as simple or complex. Simple tics involve just a few parts of the body, such as squinting or sniffling. Whereas complex tics usually indicate several parts of the body, and may have patterns. Bobbing the head while jerking an arm, and then jumping would be a great representation of a complex tic.

Motor tics involve movements of the body. This could include blinking or shrugging of the shoulders. Although there’s no exact known reason for motor tics, stress and lack of sleep can play a role in the occurrence and severity of the tics. Vocal tics are sounds that a person will make with their voice, such as yelling, humming, clearing of the throat, or repeating the words or phases of others. Out of the two, motor tics are more commonly found in people with

While strides have been made, a cure is still yet to come. Preventive prenatal care such as no exposure to toxins, smoking, or drugs can decrease the chances of Tourette's. There is no cure for Tourette's, but there are numerous options for treatment. Medication is an option, especially for those who have severe enough tics. There are drugs called neuroleptics which have the highest success rates in suppressing tics. A variety of neuroleptics are available but some are more effective than others. Haloperidol and Pimozide are more effective.

Aside from neuroleptics, patients can take stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and dextromethorphan. These can lessen ADHD symptoms in people with Tourette's without the side effect of increased tics.

If medication isn't a preferred method, then a patient can go through behavioral treatments such as awareness training in competitive response training. Supportive therapy can help a person with Tourette's better cope with the disorder and deal with the social and emotional problems that may