Afer Hichki, Tourette syndrome gains attention

Chennai: After Rani Mukerjee's much talked about Hichki released, the unheard Tourette syndrome has caught the attention of many. Tourette syndrome, which is a neuro-behavioural disorder, is known to affect children and adults due to genetic and environmental factors that usually manifests in adolescence (before age 18). While Tourette syndrome (TS) is characterised by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalisations called tics. Children who usually show tic symptoms without motor symptoms are misunderstood for TS.  Medicos discuss various causes, symptoms and treatments for the Tourette syndrome and emphasise on neuro-psychiatric approach to the treatment of TS.

“People who get this not only have vocalisations such as a grunt, cough, eye-blinking or throat clearing but can also involve the use of abusive language. TS was once considered a rare and bizarre syndrome, most often associated with the exclamation of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks (coprolalia),” says Dr Meenakshi Sundaram, consultant neurologist, Apollo Hospitals.  With an incidence of 1 per 1,000, TS is mostly due to genetic or inherited factors. Though the severity decreases after the age of 25, TS can affect the social life of the affected person. “Children who exhibit Coprolalia have to discontinue schooling mostly because when they are in school, teachers and other students cannot understand their behaviour. These children are not mentally retarded and hence, need not be sent to special schools and a psychotherapy with neurological observance can help reduce the effect,” added Dr Meenakshi.

Tics are a common phenomenon for the manifestation of various genetic disorders and it is not the only symptom of TS. Transient tics with vocalisations for more than a year are diagnosed as TS. It need not necessarily affect a person's IQ, while some patients are mentally slow, others can be very intelligent. “While there is a need to spread awareness among the teachers and parents to treat people affected with TS in a normal way, there is a need for a multi-disciplinary approach to treating it. 

Though the symptoms can be suppressed for a time period, they tend to rebound later and medications are the best possible way to control it. A multi-disciplinary approach with support from psychiatrist and counsellor along with neurological treatment can help to reduce the effect of TS,” said neurologist Dr Satish Kumar.