Beneath the Stripes:
Tourette's Syndrome from the Tiger’s View
by Darin M. Bush
Who Put TS in Charge?
Why do we say Tourette’s syndrome (TS) has associated
disorders? Why not say ADHD or OCD has associated disorders, including TS? As
far as I can tell, it is because Tourette’s syndrome is the most noticeable of
these disorders. ADHD can often look like other disorders, and vice versa. OCD
is something usually kept very private, because it is so embarrassing and
carries a powerful stigma. Maybe TS is the primary disorder because it is more
socially obtrusive.
It is also possible we are looking at an arbitrary decision.
Perhaps the first research connecting TS with ADHD or OCD was performed on a
group of TS people, rather than a group of people with ADHD or OCD. Perhaps the
overlapping part of the diagram for all these myriad disorders is TS.
While this distinction may seem trivial, it is not. How you
approach the discussion of Tourette's as a spectrum of disorders reflects how
you will accommodate and treat the symptoms. Medicating for tics can be a good
idea, given other symptoms are less intrusive. I have rarely been medicated for
tics. This is not my primary TS symptom. Fortunately, tics do not often impair
my functioning.
While I am aware some TS people have serious problems with
tics, it seems to me that the majority has more problems with ADHD or OCD. For
myself, I am more interested in medicating for ADHD or OCD. OCD impairs my functioning,
even though I have mild to moderate symptoms. Also, I have severe ADHD, with
symptoms occurring almost continuously. I would be willing to have more tics in
exchange for less intrusive thoughts or more brain control. When my brain works
properly, I can conquer anything, including my own tics. But when my brain is
busy making salad, having less tics is no help at all.
Questions? Suggestions? Get your brain to send an
email to the Tourette Tiger
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