Tourette Syndrome: Some Common Myths and MisconceptionsTourette Syndrome is a disorder fraught with myths and misconceptions. Here are a few . Misconception 1. All Tourette patients swear and curse.According to a survey directed by psychologists Annette Taylor and Patricia Kowalski at the University of San Diego, 65% of undergraduates believed that all Tourette patients make obscene gestures and swear uncontrollably. The truth is that these behaviors occur only in a minority – about 10 to 15% of Tourette patients. Misconception 2. One of the causes of Tourette Disorder is psychological conflict.For much of the 20th century, the causes of Tourette Syndrome have been defined by various myths which have proven to be untenable. One myth defining the disorder as a result of deep-seated psychological factors dominated American psychiatry for several years. Another defined tics as “symbolic discharges of repressed sexual energies.” Today, Tourette Disorder is understood to be a condition partially dictated by genes. One 1985 study found that the condition is 50% inheritable in identical twins who share identical genes and only 8% inheritable in fraternal twins who share half their genes on average. Brain imaging studies reveal that the condition may be caused by abnormalities in structures buried within brain hemispheres. Misconception 3. Tourette patients are incapacitated by their symptoms. This misconception is far from truth.Many people with Tourette Syndrome function successfully in society. An example is Matt Doran, a Canadian surgeon and amateur pilot. Another example is a jazz drummer described by Oliver Sacks as a musician whose condition imbued his music with unusual energy and Howie Mandel, famous and well received stand up comedian. Jim Eisenreich, a retired major league baseball player who played with the 1993 National League Pennant winning Philadelphia Phillies and the 1997 World Series champions, the Florida Marlins, is another example. In many ways, Tourette disorder can be viewed as a blessing as it forces people to focus on impulse control skills. Former National Basketball Association point guard and leading free throw shooter in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings from 1990-98, averaging 15.2 points a game,Chris Jackson, also known as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf,claimed that the disorder forced him to “focus with laserlike precision on his shooting.” Canada's CTV has recently released a documentary showing how Tourette Syndrome is a multi-faceted condition which can interfere with socialization and communication. However, patients with this condition can still live successful and normal lives. One of these patients is Shane who has managed to deal with his condition through art and karate. As a child he lived with the isolation and bullying because of his condition. As an adult,he has learned to cultivate his art which allows him to express who he really is - a powerful tiger in a cage waiting to be released. He has also harnessed his energy through martial arts and works as a karate sensei for children who appreciate the role model he has become for them. Shane's story is a story of success. Tourette Syndrome has shaped Shane's life with poignant poetic justice. There are many more stories like Shane's. We have to open our eyes and our hearts to see them. And there is much we can learn from heroes like Shane! Sources:
CTV National News: Avis Favaro on the Campaign, May 18 2011
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