As per an estimate about two hundred thousand Americans suffer from the most severe form of Tourette’s syndrome, while, one in hundred exhibits milder and less complex symptoms for Tourette’s syndrome. Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. The name of Tourette's syndrome may be unheard but Tourette’s syndrome is no longer considered a rare condition, as between 1 and 10 children per 1,000 have Tourette's syndrome. Most cases are classified as mild Tourette’s syndrome and the identification might be questionable.
Tourette’s syndrome results in tics that are either simple or complex. Simple tics involve a limited number of muscle groups and they are abrupt, brief, repetitive movements while complex tics involve several muscle groups and they are trenchant, coordinated patterns of movements. Simple tics include eye blinking and other vision irregularities, facial grimacing, and shoulder shrugging, whereas, simple vocalization might include repetitive throat-clearing or grunting sounds. Complex tics include touching objects, hopping, jumping while complex vocal tics include word or phrases.
Generally, people with Tourette’s syndrome can function normally in daily life situation but those experiencing complex tics might end up in a dramatic and disabling situation, if the tics result in self-harm. Uttering swear words or repeating what others say can also result in embarrassing or socially awkward situations. Excitement or anxiety directly affects the tics and they might get worse. Tics can also be triggered, like a sound of throat-clearing might trigger a throat-clearing tic in person who has Tourette’s syndrome. Tics notably diminish during the sleep.
Some additional neurobehavioral problems are also associated with Tourette’s syndrome. These problems include inattention hyperactivity (ADHD) and problems further associated with it, obsessive-compulsive symptoms like worries and repetitive behaviors are also seen in those suffering Tourette’s syndrome. Depression or anxiety disorders are also reportedly seen in those suffering with Tourette’s syndrome. People with Tourette’s syndrome are served with medical care, i.e. a treatment plan, depending upon the potential complications they might face. Majority of people with Tourette’s syndrome do not require any medication because symptoms do not often cause any impairment for them.
The cause of Tourette’s syndrome is considerably unknown. The circuit interconnecting regions like frontal lobes and coretx and the neurotransmitters are responsible for communication among nerve cells and research shows that some abnormalities in these brain regions might cause Tourette’s syndrome. An evidence research conducted about family studies shows that Tourette’s syndrome is also inherited. Environmental factors may play a role in development of Tourette’s syndrome in genes that already have smaller (or negligible) effects of the syndrome. People with Tourette’s syndrome also have genetic risks for depression and anxiety disorders. Research also shows that the sex of the person plays an important role in Tourette’s syndrome. The males at risk of having Tourette’s syndrome are more likely to have tics while females are likely to have obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
