The following is excerpted from the TSA, Inc. Questions and Answers brochure.
TOURETTE SYNDROME (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by tics - involuntary movements or vocalizations that occur repeatedly in the same way. The symptoms include:
1. Both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics present at some time during the illness although not necessarily simultaneously;
2. The occurrence of tics many times a day (usually in bouts) nearly every day or intermittently throughout a span of more than one year; and
3. Periodic changes in the number, frequency, type and location of the tics, and waxing and waning of their severity. Symptoms can sometimes disappear for weeks or months at a time.
4. Onset before the age of 18.
The term “involuntary” used to describe TS tics is sometimes confusing since it is known that most people with TS do have some control over their symptoms. What is not recognized is that the control, which can be exercised anywhere from seconds to hours at a time, may merely postpone more severe outbursts of symptoms. Tics are experienced as irresistible and (as with the urge to sneeze) eventually must be expressed. People with TS often seek a secluded spot to release their symptoms after delaying them in school or at work. Typically, tics increase as a result of tension or stress, and decrease with relaxation or when focusing on an absorbing task.
TS is not degenerative; intelligence and life span are no different from that of the general population.
The expression of symptoms covers a spectrum from very mild, to quite severe. However, the majority of cases can be categorized as mild.
The involuntary use of obscene language or racial slurs (coprolalia) is not required for a diagnosis of TS. The fact is that this symptom is manifested by fewer than 15% of people with TS.
A diagnosis is made by observing symptoms and evaluating the history of their onset. No blood analysis or other type of neurological testing exists to diagnosis TS. Some tests may be used to rule out other ailments that might be confused with TS.
Common motor tics may consist of eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, twitches of the mouth, or movements of the arms or legs. Common vocal or phonic tics may consist of sniffing, throat clearing, coughing, grunting, whistling, squealing, or repeating words or phrases. There is a very broad range of tics and this is but a few examples.
SOME people with TS may have one or more additional problems which may include:
Obsessions which consist of repetitive unwanted or bothersome thoughts.
Compulsions and Ritualistic Behaviors which occur when a person feels that something must be done over and over and/or in a certain way. Examples include touching an object with one hand after touching it with the other hand to “even things up”.
Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADHD Combined Type or Primarily Inattentive Type) occurs in many people with TS.
Learning disabilities like reading and writing difficulties, arithmetic disorders and perceptual problems. A Learning Disability is defined as a neurologically based difficulty in one or more areas that is present in a person of average to above average intelligence.
Difficulties with impulse control which may result, in rare instances, in overly aggressive behaviors or socially inappropriate acts. Also, defiant and angry behaviors can occur. Sleep Disorders are fairly common among people with TS. These include frequent awakenings or walking or talking in one’s sleep.
