Misconception and Misdiagnosis of Tourette Syndrome

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Tourette syndrome, (TS), named after Gilles de la Tourette who discovered the condition,
is a disorder that causes motor and vocal tics due to a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Neurotransmitters constantly misfire in the brain of a TS sufferer releasing a chemical, known as
dopamine, which transmits signals to many parts of the body causing these uncontrollable tics.
Lange, Olivier and Meyer (2003) states, “This neuropsychiatric disorder is, in all likelihood,
genetically determined and associated with neurotransmitter (“chemical”) imbalances in the
brain.” Although there is no known cure for TS, medications are available that help control the
condition. Society often misunderstands those who suffer from TS, because the condition is
commonly misdiagnosed and misunderstood.
There are many misconceptions about TS and much of society is poorly educated and
misinformed about the condition. Physicians do not refer to TS as a disease, but more commonly
as a “condition”, even though people lend to view those who suffer from TS as having some
debilitating disease. Although this is not an accurate conception of syndrome, some patients with
severe case may suffer some type of debilitation.
One of the most common misconceptions that society has regarding TS patients is that
they curse uncontrollably in public. The media contributes to this by depicting characters with
the syndrome in movies displaying this type of behavior. This is entirely inaccurate and
represents only a small percentage of TS patients with more severe cases.
Society is also guilty of misrepresenting and misunderstanding people with TS, often
using hurtful quips or acting out in jest towards people who have this condition. This is not only
psychologically damaging to TS patients but can temporarily cause tics to become more severe
due to stress and discomfort associated with ridicule. TS is no joking matter and is... [continues]

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