There is a great deal about Tourette Syndrome that is based on myths and misconceptions. One is that the disorder is caused by psychological conflicts.
Another is that the tics are voluntary and that Tourette sufferers are deliberately using them to get attention.
A third one is that all people suffering from Tourette Syndrome swear profusely and that their behavior is totally incapacitated by their condition.
Only recently have new research and studies refuted these misconceptions. For example, there is a genetic component to the disorder, but genes are not the whole picture. Even in identical twins who have identical genes, both twins have the disorder only 50% of the time. In fraternal twins who share only half of their genes, the percentage drops to 8%.
What this means is that the condition is not caused by underlying psychological conflicts. If anything at all, it is caused by stress, probably inflicted on the individual by people who have no understanding of the disorder.
Neurologists do know that the condition is caused by abnormalities in the brain related to movement and that tics are neither voluntary nor preplanned.
Moreover, most people with Tourette Syndrome have mastered the art of self-control to such an extent they lead highly worthy and successful lives.
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.
There is also speculation that Mozart suffered from this condition.
More on Tourette disorder can be found here.
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