Summary
Tourette syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system that involves involuntary vocal and motor tics—sudden, rapid, repeated sounds and movements. Tourette is usually first identified in children between the ages of 7 and 10, and boys are four times as likely as girls to have the disorder. The disorder can be mild or severe, with about 10 percent of Americans having a mild form, according to the National Institutes of Health. Tourette Syndrome explores the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment of this bizarre and misunderstood neurological condition, which is often referred to as a "tic" disorder. Following an overview of Tourette syndrome, the book details its history, symptoms, biological causes and triggers of tic episodes, epidemiology, and current forms of treatment. Ways in which parents and children cope with Tourette syndrome and its social stigma, as well as psychiatric conditions that are commonly associated with it, are also discussed.
Chapters include:
- Tourette Syndrome: An Overview
- Signs and Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome
- Demographics of Tourette Syndrome
- Causes of Tourette Syndrome
- Medical Treatments
- Psychosocial and Behavioral Therapy for Tourette Syndrome
- Psychiatric Disorders Commonly Associated with Tourette Syndrome
- Coping Strategies for Tourette Syndrome Patients.
Specifications
Full-color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Diagrams. Glossary. Sidebars. References. Further reading. Web sites. Index.
About the Author(s)
M. Foster Olive, Ph.D., received his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California at San Diego and his Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA. He is an assistant professor at the Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. His research focuses on the neurobiology of addiction, and his work has been published in numerous academic journals, including Psychopharmacology and The Journal of Neuroscience. He is the author of Child Abuse and Stress Disorders in Chelsea House's Psychological Disorders series.
Foreword author Pat Levitt, Ph.D., is the director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development.