Tourette’s Syndrome, What Is It?

Introduction

 People all over the world have heard of different disorders. Autism, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety… the list goes on and on. But one disorder is hardly talked about. Tourette’s Syndrome. Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the neurological disorder we call tourette’s syndrome.

What Is Tourettes Syndrome?

For those of you who know, Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological disorder. This means that Tourettes syndrome (Or TS for short), happens in the brain. TS appears in certain parts of the brain. The parts that TS are commonly seen in are the Basal Ganglia, Frontalobes, and Cortex. TS is a syndrome disorder that causes unwanted movements and sounds that can’t be controlled. To solve the confusion, doctors decided to put TS into two categories:

 motor tics, or vocal tics. For example, people with motor tics only have tics such as, shaking their hands uncontrollably, pulling their neck, and tightening their muscles. Whereas vocal tics could be repeating someone else’s words, yelling out random phrases, or just uncontrolled speaking in general.

 TS can be hard in day to day life. Especially for those who have severe Tourette’s. Because Tourette’s is so uncommonly talked about, people with the disorder are often seen as disruptive, not focused, and bad-mannered. And although people do not quite know what causes TS, doctors think that it could be given to a child genetically, or by neurotransmitters. And although there is no cure for TS, people with this disorder can actually lead long and healthy lives!

How Can We Help?

Over time it has been discovered that there can be a couple ways to help TS! For example, medication. Certain medications have scientifically been proven to reduce or temporarily stop TS, but if you are willing to take medication to help you have to be ready for the side effects. The most common side effects of taking medication to help with TS are stiff muscles, social withdrawal, weight gain, and tiredness.

 Sometimes, the medication can worsen TS. These medications are still a work in progress, but other methods have been known to help TS other than medication. A known cause to make TS happen or come out is being in a stressful environment. It’s been proven that sometimes for certain people, being in a stressful environment can really impact a person’s TS. Meditation can also help TS as well.

Interesting Facts About Tourette Syndrome!

1: TS is more common in males rather than females

2: When most people think of TS they think of people saying curse words or rude things, but in reality only 10% of TS patients do that!

 3: All people have different TS, not all of them are the same

4: TS can come and go, it may appear severely for a few day, than they could go for over a week

5: TS can actually worsen in during times of stress or excitement

All in all, TS is not a fun thing to have. It can be annoying, painful, and upsetting most of the time. Those with tourettes go through many hardships a day. But knowing that people are working hard each day to try and find a cure and different ways to help, makes all the difference.