TOURETTE SYNDROME

What is Tourette Syndrome?

Giles de la Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder which becomes evident in early childhood or adolescence between the ages of 2 and 15.  Tourette Syndrome is defined by multiple motor and vocal tics and the first symptoms of TS are usually involuntary movements of the fact, arms, limbs or trunk.  These tics are frequent and repetitive.

Torrette Syndrome can also involve verbal tics, which usually occur with the movements.  They can also replace some of the motor tics.  The vocal tics can include grunting, throat clearing, shouting or barking.  Other verbal tics have been listed below.

• Coprolalia - involuntary use of obscene words
• Copropraxia - involuntary use of obscene gestures
• Echolalia - Repeating words of others
• Palilalia - Repeating ones own words.

The symptoms of Tourette Syndrome vary from person to person and can be very severe.  In the majority of cases they fall into the mild category.  It is far more common in males than females affect 3-4 times as many and usually there is a family history of Tics, TS, ADHD or OCD.  Most people with TS will lead productive lives and there are no barriers to achievement in their personal and professional lives.