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Essay about Tourette Syndrome

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Tourette Syndrome
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Tourette Syndrome was named for George Gilles de la Tourette, who first discovered the syndrome in 1885. Today there is still a mystery surrounding the disorder, it?s causes and it?s cures. But one of the biggest mysteries is an associated behavior called coprolalia. This symptom is the uncontrolled swearing or socially unacceptable utterances that some with Tourettes experience. Although despite the media?s fascination, Tourette syndrome is not the cursing disease many believe it to be.

This baffling neurological disorder is characterized by repetitive motor and/or vocal tics. The identifying symptom of TS seems to be tic disorders. ?A tic is a brief, repetitive, purposeless, …show more content…

There are also utterances of insults and racial comments (Bruun 41). This seems the most commonly recognized tic disorder of Tourettes. When most think of Tourette they automatically assume the random cussing. Actually this seems to be a rare symptom. ?Coprolalia, the symptom that the general public associates most often with TS, and it is not common?(Bruun 41).

It only occurs it a small minority of TS individuals. The numbers are an estimated 5-30% as reported by the Tourette Syndrome Association in 1993. Some relate the coming on of an inappropriate word as hard to control as a sneeze. They can feel it coming on but are unable to control it even with medication (Michigan 1). One of the characteristics of coprolalia that sets it apart from just simply swearing is that words come out compulsively. Most often when a person is angry but even if they are just under stress (Kozlowski 1).

Causes of TS are still being debated and most leads are pointing to genetic factors. The understanding of it seems to be incomplete and unfinished. But in 1999 researchers announced that they had found evidence suggesting a link between chromosomes 4 and 8 and TS. Though there still is no clearly identified gene to date. So all they can conclude is if one parent has TS there is a 50/50 chance for the child to carry it unless it is liked by gender (Packer 5). A study done by Dr. Ruth Bruun indicated a tendency toward a decrease in severity as patients grow in

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