Introduction
Tourette syndrome pertains to a genetic movement disorder that is typically associated with involuntary actions of the body and sound making. The uncontrollable movements of Tourette patients are called tics. Such movements vary from slow to sudden and in Tourette syndrome, the tics are usually quick. Tics may be classified according to the length of the contraction of the muscle that is related to the body part that is moved (Lyon 411). A tic is considered clonic if it involves cycles of jerks and relaxations of a specific body part such as the arm or leg. On the other hand, a tic is described as tonic if it involves a prolonged duration of contraction of a particular muscle of the body. It is unfortunate that patients positively diagnosed with Tourette syndrome often create sounds that are quite peculiar to the rest of the society because these are generated at unexpected times.
The unsolicited and unsuitable words and sounds that are expressed by an individual with Tourette syndrome are called coprolalia and this occurs only in a small portion of the patients. Such outbreaks are generally unpremeditated and unfocused hence it is quite uncomfortable to the beholder to hear these types of words. In the case of sound-making, the Tourette patient may always be snorting or even coughing without any symptoms of having an upper respiratory tract infection or disorder. The spontaneous and uncontrollable movements of an individual with Tourette syndrome include random and sporadic blinking of the eyes, as well as making gurgling or clearing sounds of the throat (Weil 498). There may also be some sudden jerking of the arms and the legs may jolt at unexpected times. Some patients may also present symptoms such as shoulder movement and extreme cases may be involved with jumping. It is interesting to know that the Tourette patient is aware that are tic is about to occur yet it is unfortunate that they have been capability of preventing the tic from occurring. They have some control that is only strong enough to delay the occurrence of the tic, but they have lost the ability to stop one part of their body from jerking and thrusting. A complex tix can be a combination of actions such as jumping and saying one same word or phrase and making a particular sound all at the same time or in sequence.
Symptoms
The presentation of symptoms of Tourette syndrome is commonly observed before an individual reaches 18 years old. The syndrome equally affects individuals of almost all ethnic origins and the rate of prevalence among males has been observed to be 4 times higher than among the female gender. This movement disorder may vary in terms of severity, from a mild case to a severe one. Most of the Tourette cases that have been reported in the medical field have been categorized as mild. Other correlated mental symptoms of Tourette syndrome include fascination to specific things or events, as well as deficiency in focusing or attention. Patients with Tourette syndrome may also experience impulsive actions to certain stimuli and rapid mood changes. The patients may also go through sudden outbursts of sentiments. It is thus common to find an individual with Tourette syndrome to be consequently showing symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Huckeba 412). In other cases, the Tourette patient may show co-morbidity to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (Pasquini 109).
Conclusion
Initial medical reports released 40 years ago suggested that Tourette syndrome only affected individuals of Eastern European origin because the only cases then observed came from isolated and specific clinics. Today, it has been established that Tourette syndrome occurs across the entire globe, regardless of ethnic background. Although Tourette syndrome involves abnormal body movement, the individuals diagnosed with this disorder can still pursue professional careers and fruitful lives. It is thus important that society understands the syndrome is order for them to understand the basis of such involuntary body movements, as well as to tolerate the symptoms in public.
Works cited
Huckeba W, Chapieski L, Hiscock M and D Glaze. “Arithmetic Performance In Children With Tourette Syndrome: Relative Contribution Of Cognitive And Attentional Factors. Journal of Clinical Experimental Neuropsychology 30(2008):410-20.
Lyon GJ and B Coffey. “Treating Tourette Syndrome And Tic Disorders: A Guide For Practitioners. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology 18(2008):411-412.
Pasquini M, Fabbrini G, Berardelli I, Bonifati V, Biondi M and A Berardelli. “Psychopathological Features Of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder In An Italian Family With Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome Not Linked To The SLITRK1 Gene. Psychiatry Research 161(2008):109-11.
Weil RS, Cavanna AE, Willoughby JM and MM Robertson. “Air Swallowing As A Tic.” Journal of Psychosomatic Research 65(2008):497-500.