What is Tourette’s syndrome and why is everyone talking about it?

At the end of the 19th century, the French doctor Gilles de laTourette compiled a report of 9 of his patients suffering from a strange and untreatable disease. All patients complained of foul language uncontrolled by them, shouting of involuntary words and sounds, and some of them suffered from very specific tics. Patients involuntarily bounced, clapped hands, or hit their heads on nearby surfaces. What is Tourette’s syndrome? Is it a disease or obsession?

Tourette's syndrome - a mysterious and poorly understood disease

What is Tourette’s syndrome?

Although its own namethe syndrome was received only in the 19th century, the first description of the disease appeared back in 1486, when the priest with motor and vocal tics was described in the book “Hammer of the Witches”. Modern psychotherapists describe Tourette’s syndrome as a condition that is characterized by various involuntary actions on the part of the patient. So, the first signs of the presence of the disease can appear even in early childhood, when a child absolutely unexpectedly for parents begins to scream swear words, scream, hiss or clatter his tongue, while remaining outwardly and mentally healthy.

According to modern terminology, the syndromeTourette is a neuropsychiatric disease that affects approximately 10 out of 1000 children. The causes of the unusual disease have not yet been clarified, however there are several hypotheses that predict the presence of the disease in a particular family member.

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Why does Tourette's syndrome occur?

Tourette syndrome patients often lose control of their speech

There are several hypotheses whyTourette syndrome develops. So, one of the main reasons is considered a genetic factor. According to researchers, the disorder most often affects children whose parents themselves have suffered or suffer from involuntary ticks. In addition, scientists also highlight autoimmune and neuroanatomical causes. In the first case, the pathology arises as a result of any transferred disease caused by streptococcal bacteria. In the second case, doctors deal with the pathology of the brain, caused by metabolic disorders or exposure to psychotropic drugs.

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Can Tourette's syndrome be cured?

Despite the fact that Tourette’s syndrome cannot be completely cured, there are special psychotherapeutic practices aimed at stopping the symptoms of the disease

Researchers believe that before starting an attackthe patient develops strong tension and stress, which have no external cause. Before the manifestation of a tick, the patient often has a desire to clear his throat, remove the mote from the eye, or make any involuntary movement that helps to eliminate internal stress. Despite the fact that the disease cannot be completely cured at present, there are special practices in psychotherapy that can reduce the number and intensity of seizures, as well as recognize the moment of their onset.

In addition, it is currently the syndromeTourette begins to enter the world of cinema, attracting attention due to its unusualness. Researchers believe that even Mozart and the poet of the Enlightenment Samuel Johnson could be carriers of this disease.