More importantly Tourette's Disorder is one of a category of
disorders called Tic Disorders.
It is by far the most debilitating of
the category characterized by what the Tourette's Syndrome Association
calls "multiform, frequently changing motor and phonic tics".
Onset typically happens before the age of 21 though some rare cases
have been found that develop after that stage. Symptoms of the disorder
are both motor and vocal and severity of the characteristics varies
from week to month to year.
In order for a diagnosis to be given the recurrent, involuntary
movements and vocal expressions need to be present for more than a
year. In the past diagnosis has been fraught with inaccuracy as several
of the symptoms are similar to those experienced by schizophrenics,
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and epilepsy. There is also an overlap
with some of the symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The Tourette's Syndrome Association lists the symptoms divided into
three main categories: motor, vocal and behavioral/developmental.
Motor symptoms are further divided into simple and complex. Simple
motor symptoms are fast and seemingly meaningless like jaw snapping
while the complex movements are slow, seemingly purposeful and
deliberate. They may include gyrating, hopping, clapping or obscene
gestures. They are organized and ritualistic in nature and there is an
aspect of compulsivity.
The vocal symptoms are similarly divided into simple sounds like
hissing, coughing and barking and complex ones which include
linguistically recognizable words and phrases.
Behavioral/developmental symptoms include obsessions, compulsions,
hyperactivity, emotional lability, irritability, impulsivity and some
learning disabilities.
