Coprolalia, the involuntary utterance of obscenities, profanities and derogatory remarks, is an extreme example of a vocal tic experienced by some people with Tourette's. When the compulsion overcomes them, sufferers of the condition cannot help yelling inappropriate or culturally taboo remarks or phrases.
A coprolalia sufferer might even blurt out ethnic slurs, even if they aren't racist — an embarrassing and distressing situation for all involved. Aside from Tourette's, brain injuries, strokes, dementia , seizures and many other forms neurological damage can usher the onset of coprolalia as well. It is known to be caused by brain dysfunction, but the details are, as yet, hazy.
Any strong tones do not represent any feelings behind the usual use of such a provocative statement. These words are not aimed at any one person, and although there may sometimes be a visual or auditory trigger for these words, the reasoning is mostly an inability to keep from saying what we most fear to, or what we know is unacceptable. As a person who experiences tics of this form known as coprolalia, I can tell you that the words I shout are not characterized by those that others find offensive, but rather the ones that I personally feel are wrong.
If your loved one experiences this, take consolation that when they yell racist slurs or general foul language, the meanings for them can actually be of strong feelings against discrimination rather than for it. It may be that these slurs upset and embarrass those in our family or social circle, especially when in public.
Reactions that follow may be to reprove the person uttering these words. In truth though, the most supportive way to approach the matter is to let them know you are doing what you can to understand, and that you are honestly proud of the beliefs that these phrases actually reflect. Telling those who shout these obscenities to stop, or to try harder to suppress them, will only increase feelings of anxiety and shame towards what they already believe is wrong.
If these outbursts are made, the person is already aware of its negative implications. Compounding the existing difficulty of the issue with reproaches adds to heightened stress that in turn contributes to further tics, as well as feelings of being misunderstood and alienated.
Some Tourette syndrome cases are mild, with symptoms such as nonbothersome eye blinking, or mild body twitching. In many cases, the motor tics will resolve in late adolescence or early adulthood. Many patients will even lead relatively normal lives. Knowledge of the syndrome has increased as scientists have learned more in general about the brain. The normal functions of the human brain seem to be dictated by rhythmic oscillations that continuously repeat over and over, much like a popular song on the radio.
These oscillations change and modulate , and they act to control various human behaviors. An important secret to the development of new therapies for Tourette is that we can alter these oscillations with rehabilitative therapies, cognitive behavioral intervention therapy CBIT , medications such as tetrabenazine or even deep brain stimulation, which involves a small straw-like probe being inserted into the brain. Electricity can be delivered through this probe to disrupt the abnormal oscillations responsible for tics.
The genetics of Tourette remain opaque. Despite the fact that the disease tends to run in families, no one has discovered a single DNA abnormality linking all, or even most, cases. In the meantime, however, technology is offering new means of detection and treatment.
Scientists have recorded tic signals from the human brain and even deployed the first smart devices to detect and suppress tics. Some investigators are studying newer generations of medicines that decrease the complications that can occur with old-fashioned drugs, such as Haloperidol , that have traditionally been used to treat Tourette.
Scientists are also looking for way to suppress or modulate inappropriate brain signals, spurring development of new drugs with novel brain targets, such as cannabinoid receptors.
Using marijuana to treat the symptoms of Tourette syndrome makes some scientific sense.
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