Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a chronic disorder that affects brain function. It causes uncontrollable movements and verbal outbursts, as well as anxiety, depression, and social problems. In some cases, it can also cause seizures and hearing loss.
Although not fully understood, TS is thought to develop from a problem in the brain’s communication system. Certain signals don’t fire correctly when they should, causing harm to nerve cells and eventually disrupting the ability of neurons (brain cells) to send information between different parts of the central nervous system stem—which controls thinking, learning new skills, or reacting quickly —and their supporting structures in order for complex neurological functions such as language or motor skills to be fully completed.
1)What are Tourette’s Syndrome Symptoms?
The World Health Organization estimates that around one percent of the world’s population suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome, also known as Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. The symptoms of this condition include excessive muscle movement, such as twitching and eye blinking, sometimes accompanied by vocal outbursts.
2) Causes of Tourette
There have been a number of suggested explanations for Tourette Syndrome. Some experts believe the condition is caused by an imbalance between dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain. Others think that genetic components may be responsible. Tourette syndrome has been seen to be associated with many different medical conditions, including Tourette’s disease. An estimated 5-10% of cases may come from immunological factors such as allergies and sensitivities to bacteria or other stimuli in the environment, while 85-90% do not have an identifiable cause. There are also psychological causes which may include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder.
3) Treatment for Tourette Syndrome
Psychological therapy has been found to be effective in treating patients with chronic tics and obsessive-compulsive disorders related to this condition. A 1999 study of 12 children between the ages of nine and 17 by Clark CO et al., showed that these types of treatment guidelines might help individuals minimize the distress caused by their symptoms, which can lead them to a more satisfying and productive life.
There are several alternatives available:
a) Medication:
Only if the tics are severe and interfering with everyday activities are medications indicated. They have major side effects including weight gain, which is extremely prevalent, as well as difficulty focusing and thinking in certain situations, and they will not work for everyone.
b) Surgical treatment:
For young adults and adults with severe Tourette symptoms, deep brain stimulation or nerve surgery may be a possibility.
c) Psychotherapy:
Aids in the treatment of related illnesses such as ADHD, OCD, depression, and anxiety.
4) Other treatments for Tourette Syndrome
The physical tics associated with this syndrome sometimes make it difficult to perform normal tasks, such as talking on the phone or driving a car. In these cases, various interventions have been found to be effective in eliminating motor function impairment during that period of time involved in performing those activities; some examples include isometric exercise (ie: holding one’s breath), deep-breathing exercises, and a variety of different medications.
5) Life with Tourette’s
Having Tourette’s has been described as “living your life between manual labor, middle school, and a short-lived acting career.” To live with it though is not always easy. Those who know they have the condition can often feel alienated from society. They often report that other people are afraid of them or make jokes at their expense because of this mystery illness which nobody truly understands.