Tourette's Disorder - Information You Should Know

Tourette's Disorder or Tourette Syndrome was actually first diagnosed in 1884. Prior to this the disease was know but most people that suffered from Tourette's were thought to be involved in mischief or poking fun at others. Individuals lost jobs and families because they could not control the tics, spasms, and abusive language that are the normal symptoms with this disorder. Originally it was thought that ADHD patients were a milder version of Tourette's they now have proven that as false. However many Tourette's patients can have Attention Deficit Disorder due to the disease.

Symptoms:

Here is a list of standard and rarely known symptoms:

- Facial Tics - Facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, eye blinking, and physical jerking.

- Uncontrolled Vocalizations - Sniffing, grunting, throat clearing, moans, screaming, swear words,
obscene phrases, and repeating others words.

- Urge to harm oneself - Self inflicted punching and kicking

- Body Movement - Shoulders jerking, shaking, seizures

- Mood Swings - Usually depression or anger

- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders - Counting over and over, re-checking of lights were shut off or doors
are locked.

- Hearing Voices - Many patients say they hear angry voices in their head during the onslaught of
severe symptoms.

These symptoms are obviously not controllable, and can't even be controlled by sleep. They do become more prominent in wakeful hours and times of stress however. Some doctors believe that the change of seasons can change the frequency of the symptoms of Tourette's. Unfortunately the reason why TS exists is unknown. Doctors lean towards issues and defects in certain brain regions specifically the front lobes and cortex. Doctors also believe that due to the complexity of the disease that the cause is more than like caused by more than one issue within the brain. Tourette's is also known to be genetic disease and is very often found generation after generation, however the severity can change. TS is NOT a psychological condition although many believe it is. Some doctors will refer patients with TS to a psychologist but only to assist with relieving the stress that brings on the larger bouts of tics.

Treatment:

There are some medications such a Dopamine and Haldol that can treat the outbursts people have with TS. The steadier and constant the medication is the better and more uninterrupted a patient's life can be. Unfortunately they cannot find a medication or procedure to permanently cure Tourette's. Some people however with milder TS have found with light meds for a short time they can control their TS and they can completely live symptom free. The patients with the more severe cases find that with regulated medication they can usually live a more productive live with less symptoms.