An Overview of Tourettes Syndrome

An Overview of Tourettes Syndrome Tourettes syndrome When you think of Tourettes what comes to mind?   Tourettes is a common disorder which may start in early childhood. This condition is characterized by physical and verbal tics (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Tourettes syndrome, also known as TS, first presented itself when a man named Georges Gilles De La Tourette wrote a paper on nine people who exhibited in voluntary motor and vocal tics (Georges Gilles de la Tourette). Tourettes association in the study of this disorder led to it being named after him. Georges Giles was born in the small town of Saint Gervals Les Trois Clochers, he was a French neuropsychiatrist and an expert on epilepsy. Georges was known for crazy media coverage where there was an attempt on his life (Georges Gilles de la Tourette). He was shot in 1893 by Rose Kamper, a former patient of his who had made acquisitions of him of hypnotizing her against her will. He recovered from the gun shot, and his attacker was diagnosed with what is now called paranoid schi zophrenia. He is more famously known for publishing the first writings of people who had Tourettes, simply stating that these tics were random and uncontrollable (Georges Gilles de la Tourette). Many speculate but cause of Tourette syndrome is unknown but there is current research that points to abnormalities in the brain (Tourettes Syndrome). Evidence from twin and family studies proposes that TS is an inherited disorder (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Symptoms are typically noticed in early childhood between the ages of seven and ten. Genetically TS occurs in people from all ethnic groups and age groups, but males have a higher chance of being affected then females. It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have a severe form of TS, and one in 100 display milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Although the DSM-5 does not directly talk about TS, it does mention disorders that are linked to it. Various people can experience additional problems such as obsessive compulsive behavior, characterized by repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing or checking things repetitively and mental acts like praying, and counting (A merican Psychiatric Association ). Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, described by difficulty concentrating and staying on task; learning disabilities, which include reading, writing and arithmetic difficulties; and even sleeping disorders (Tourettes Syndrome). TS is not a psychological disorder but more of a neuropsychiatric disorder; although they are linked together these disorders can come with Tourettes. But on the other hand not everyone with TS will have disorders other than their tics. What is TS you may ask? TS can be divided into two groups, motor tics, and vocal tics; and in those two groups you can have simple and complex motor or vocal tics. Simple motor tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements that involve a limited number of muscle groups (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Some of the more common simple motor tics include eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking. Simple vocal tics might include repetitive throat-clearing, sniffing, or grunting sounds (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups (Tourettes Syndrome). Complex motor tics might include facial grimacing combined with a head twist and a shoulder shrug, sniffing or touching objects, hopping, jumping, bending, or twisting. Simple vocal tics may include throat-clearing, sniffing/snorting, grunting, or even barking. The most intense  Ã‚   tics includes motor movements that cause   self-harm such as punching themselves in the face or vocal tics including coprolalia and echolalia which are uttering swear words and repeating the words or phrases of others (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Some tics are led by an urge or sensation in the affected muscle group, or a need to complete a tic in a certain way or a certain number of times in order to relieve the urge (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). People with TS can sometimes suppress their tics for a short time, but the effort is similar to that of holding back a sneeze. Eventually tension mounts to the point where the tic escapes. Tics worsen in stressful situations; however, they improve when the person is relaxed or absorbed in an activity. In most cases, tics decrease markedly during sleep (Tourettes Syndrome). How can TS be counteracted? Currently, there is no brain test or laboratory test to convincingly prove someone has TS and when it comes to TS there is no cut in stone medication that will cure this disorder completely. Generally, TS is diagnosed by obtaining a description of the tics and evaluating family history and after verifying, the patient has to have had both motor and vocal tics for at least 1 year. Patients, families and physicians need to determine which set of symptoms is most disabling so that appropriate medications and therapies can be used (Tourettes Syndrome). If symptoms do not impair most patients and development proceeds normally then the majority of people with TS will require no medication. On the other hand, medications are available to help when symptoms interfere with functioning but unfortunately, there is no one medication that helps the same person with TS. Some patients who need medication to reduce the symptoms of their tics may be treated with neurolepti c drugs such as haloperidol and pimozide. These medications are usually given in very small doses that are increased slowly until the best possible balance between symptoms and side effects is achieved (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). The most common side effects of neuroleptics include sedation, weight gain, and cognitive dulling, tremors, dystonic reactions (twisting movements or postures), and parkinsonian-like symptoms. People with TS often live healthy, active lives however; Tourette syndrome frequently involves behavioral and social challenges that can harm your self-image. The biological perspective focuses on genetics and your biological processes influencing your behavior (Rathus ). As stated before TS can come with other disorders such as ADHD and Attention Deficit Disorder, and even Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). These disorders can make a person with TS behave differently such as; losing ones temper a lot, anger, difficulty paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet). Traditional behaviorist believed that the environment and also personal experiences influences a persons behavior (Rathus ). Stress can often make TS worse in the fact that it makes the tic more rapid (Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet).   This can also be due to the persons environment.   This is how TS is related to psychology because it can explain the beh avior of someone with TS and how these disorders are linked together. References   American Psychiatric Association . Diagostic And Statastical Manual of Mental Disorders fith edition. DSM-5. Vol. 5. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013. 5 vols. 237. 1 december 2016. Georges Gilles de la Tourette. 2014. Soylent Communications. 18 October 2016. . Rathus , Spencer A. Psychology principles in practice . Austin, 2003. 4. Textbook. Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. Ed. Office of Communications and Public Liaison. 5 October 2005. 18 November 2016. . Tourettes Syndrome. Ed. Sussex Publishers. 1 july 2016. Sussex Publishers. 1 december 2016. . (Tourettes Syndrome) Georges Gilles de la Tourette. 2014. Soylent Communications. 18 October 2016. . Rathus , Spencer A. Psychology principles in practice . Austin, 2003. 4. Textbook. Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. Ed. Office of Communications and Public Liaison. 5 October 2005. 18 November 2016. . Tourettes Syndrome. Ed. Sussex Publishers. 1 july 2016. Sussex Publishers. 1 december 2016. . s/tourette-syndrome-fact-sheet/>. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tourette-syndrome/symptoms-causes/dxc-20163624 tourettes and the biological theory