Running head: MISCONCEPTIONS OF TOURETTES

Misconceptions of tourettes
William Snavley
Ivy Tech Community College

MISCONCEPTIONS OF TOURETTES

Misconceptions of Tourettes
Tourettes syndrome is a rare brain disorder that includes but is not limited to vocal, and
physical motor tics, TS is not fully understood, and leaves medical professionals to wonder
exactly what causes TS in patients; and how to properly treat this brain disorder. It is assumed
that TS effects a small percentage of people, and that these people have to be held accountable
for their actions. TS is believed to be a genetic disorder passed down from the parents. How can
TS be properly treated has long been an ongoing debate. TS treatment to date has been
unsuccessful however medical facilitators are exploring new methods of helping TS patients, and
believe that more research is needed to come up with a viable treatment. Do to the abrasiveness
of Tourettes patience have been met with hostility, and misunderstanding.
What is Tourettes?
Tourettes Syndrome as characterized by Gilles da la Tourette in 1885, Tourettes
Syndrome sufferers show signs of multiple tics, accompanied by compulsive utterances which
frequently progress to forced shouting of obscenities. Although Gilles da la Tourette emphasized
a triad of multiple tics recent research suggests that TS is much more complex. According to the
National Institute of Mental Health Neuroscience Center in Washington DC, brain scans done
with five Pairs of identical twins have led researchers to a new development. Finding a
heightened sensitivity of the dopamine receptors called D2. This research has opened doors to
further understanding of what Tourettes is.
How wide spread is Tourettes?

MISCONCEPTIONS OF TOURETTES

According to the BMJ (British Medical Journal) Tourettes Syndrome has been found to
effect 4-18% of children at some stage of their development. (syndrome in children) TS surfaces
around the ages of 6-7 and mainly effects boys. Although previously thought to be very rare
recent school based studies have found that TS actually effects 1-3% of school children today.
Not all children suffer the same symptoms of TS and there are three types of symptoms that go
along with TS, such as chronic uncontrollable motor movements, Coprophenomena, (obscene
sounds or gestures) Echophenoma, (repeating sounds and gestures). Between 50-70% of TS
patience also suffer from co-disorders, such as ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder);
and OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder). These combined disorders prove even harder to treat
and further treatment may be needed. With TS sufferers numbering 100,000-300,000 in the
United States alone (place holder) this disorder is in need of further research.
Are patients accountable for their actions?
Debate has risen on weather Tourettes sufferers should be held accountable for their
action when they are Tourettic outburst. Philosophers argue (place holder) that during a Tourettic
event the patient is passive and not in conscious control of their movements. As they are being
effected by outside sources and not their real self. Many TS patients report that they can choose
to tic, however this leads to a buildup of both tension and stress. Which can lead to more intense
outburst when released. One analogy of this is, to scratch an itch, because a person can choose to
scratch an itch or unconsciously scratch the itch, or decide not to scratch the itch. Although in
some cases patients to report that there is no choice about whether to tic or not to tic, however
this is not the case with all who have TS. With the understanding that some patients can choose
to tic or not to tic the debate escalates in the sense that if the individual can choose to tic or not to
tic does that not make the event a higher order conative response? The problem is in the

MISCONCEPTIONS OF TOURETTES

philosophy of when the blame falls on the patient and when it does not. One debate would say
that if there is the urge to do something then no matter how powerful that urge is then any other
difference is mute and blame is too placed on the individual committing the act.
How to do we effectively treat TS?
As studies done on TS continue one of the most fought over topics is how to treat TS.
Doctors have concluded that TS is a genetic trait passed down to the individual. New studies
done however suggest that TS is an abnormality were centers in the brain are more sensitive to
dopamine then that of a non TS person. So how do we treat it? A study lead by Daniel R.
Weinberg of the National Institute of mental health Neuroscience Center suggests that with his
findings of how OCD which also effect the caudate nucleus just as Tourettes does, occur in
conjunction with one another and support his theory that the too disorders overlap. The findings
point out that more research on the topic is needed. Other studies done on the topic have also
showed promise. Daniele Piomelli of the University of California reports that findings have
uncovered one of anandamides normal role. When it is release by nerve cells other nerve cells
that trigger physical action are inhibited. Blocking the action of dopamine with these findings
anandamide may be considered as a neurotransmitter. Leading them to believe that other
treatments may be available for dysfunction of dopamine signals. Which occur in Tourettes
patience. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) the active ingredient in Marijuana has been found to bind
with the same receptors of the brain as anadamide. Piomelli states, Anadamide is a dopamine
break, and drugs that block dopamine production would help allow anadamide to linger. He
goes on to say that this may help treat dopamine related diseases, and that there are already some
evidence that THC alleviates symptoms of Tourettes disorder.
How do we promote tolerance & understanding?

MISCONCEPTIONS OF TOURETTES

With TS being an abrasive disorder and TS patience not being able to stop from blurting
out obscenities, and doing motor tics that other find offensive TS patients have been met with
intolerance, misunderstanding, and even violence. Marc Elliot (Inspirational speaker) Marc
speaks on tolerance bringing awareness to others that we as a people should be tolerant of those
around us. As Marcs video shows on you tube. He was removed from a Greyhound Bus in
Indianapolis Indiana do to his vocal outburst. Also as the video shows he was asked to find a
way to stop his outburst in a public library. Even though others know about TS and how it works
some of the outburst are hurtful or make them uncomfortable to be around the person with TS.
Further awareness is needed about TS and the topic of tolerance, along with making unfounded
assumption about others whom you do not know.
As Tourettes Syndrome is a rare brain disorder that not even trained medical
professional completely understand. More research is need on this disorder, along with its
corresponding symptoms, and the cause of TS, also More research is needed on how to alleviate
the symptoms of TS.

MISCONCEPTIONS OF TOURETTES