NeuroTalk Support Groups - Call for Doctor John

Thanks very much. That's really handy!

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I do feel the need to mention it again, but the information regarding Tourette's syndrome in the Medical Dictionary is out of date and misleading. Efforts were made in the past by members of the TS community to correct their listings but to no avail. I know it's not important to everyone but it is important that those seeking consultation or diagnosis be aware of this.

1.

Definition of Tourette's syndrome from that particular Medical Dictionary...

http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?Tourette's+syndrome

Quote:

Tourette's syndrome

<syndrome> A neurologic disease of unknown cause that presents with multiple tics (uncontrolled behaviour), associated with snorting, sniffing and involuntary vocalisations. The explosive utterance of obscenities is common. Treatment is with haloperidol.

My comments...

TS is not a disease.

Coprolalia or explosive utterance of obscenities is not "common" as stated.

Treatment in this day and age with Haloperidol/Haldol is very uncommon.

Tourette's Syndrome: Minimizing Confusion
Roger D. Freeman, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C.)
Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
University of British Columbia
Vancouver
Former Member of TSA-USA Medical, Professional and Scientific Advisory Boards.
"The definition does not require coprolalia (uncontrollable use of socially unacceptable words or phrases), though media presentations emphasize it because it can be dramatic. The definition is simply a multiple, changing pattern of tics (not necessarily at the same time) for at least 12 months, including at least one noise-making tic. (There is no requirement for severity or impairment.) You can have TS and function normally."

Tourette Syndrome "Plus"-Treatment of Tics and Tourette's Syndrome
"The diagnosis of TS does not mean that the person necessarily needs medication."
"In the U. S., the most frequently prescribed medications are clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres®) and guanfacine (Tenex®), two alpha 2-adrenergic agonists."

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2.
Definition of tourette's syndrome from the Medical Dictionary (note different definition from Tourette's to tourette's)...

http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/o...rette+syndrome

Quote:

tourette syndrome

<syndrome> Both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics present with tics occurring many times a day, nearly daily, over a period of more than one year. The onset is before age 18 and the disturbance is not due to direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition. The disturbance causes marked distress or significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. (dsm-IV, 1994)

My comments...

The "marked distress" and "significent impairment" criterion stated above, known as Criterion C, was deleted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
(American Psychiatric Association, 2000)

.
DSM IV-TR - Tourette's Disorder

J. AM. ACAD. CHILD ADOLESC. PSYCHIATRY, 44:3, MARCH 2005
Roger D. Freeman, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C.)
Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
University of British Columbia
Vancouver
"We will continue to debate and refine the Tourette’s criteria,
but the continuing confusion caused by the manual’s
discrepancies violates the stated purposes of the DSM: to
be ‘‘a helpful guide to clinical practice’’ and ‘‘to facilitate research
and improve communication among clinicians and researchers’’