Why do some tourette's sufferers shout abuse but never praise?

Answer 1

yes .it 'd be nice if they shouted what was the tv guide,or historical (accurate) dates so you learn as well...but it ain't gonna happen. i am just kidding. i completely sympathise.

Answer 2

Let's just say that some Tourette's "sufferers" do shout out praise-y things. Before I was diagnosed at age 21, I shouted out all kinds of odd things for years.

Yes, in case you're wondering, going through 12 years of school plus college with undiagnosed Tourette's was quite crappy. Ah, well, gotta laugh at life, right?

Answer 3

Tourette's is a neurological disorder and as someone has already said, is closely related to OCD. Tourette sufferers know what they are shouting is socially unacceptable but this knowledge forces them to shout out, they cannot stop it because it's an uncontrollable verbal tic and as embarrasing for the sufferer as it is for the unsuspecting passer by. The more it happens the more it exascerbates the problem.

Answer 4

It's a tic. Tourette's is closely related to OCD, in which sufferers think of some terrible thing and are afraid thery're going to do it. But with Tourette's swear words can slip by the filter. BUT!!!!! Only about 15% of TS sufferers have this tic and it usually lasts only for a short while. What is your interest in this?

< For those unfamiliar with TS diagnosis, this is one of the worst of the myths. It is of course often the most dramatic symptom that catches the media's attention, but it only occurs in a minority of cases and is often short lived, rather than chronic. This myth may lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, as well as prejudice against persons with TS.>>

See link below for source of quote.

Answer 5

I've met one sufferer of tourette syndrome. He had a fascination in remembering everyones birthday, and would ask you this question when you first met him. He did not shout any abuse, but did make some inappropriate noises and actions.

Are you suggesting that some sufferers of this syndrome should develop a sarcastic sense of humour?

Answer 6

People with Tourette's arent really shouting abuse or praise. There are certain words or phrases they are compelled to say or shout. These words and phrases are not directed at anyone.

Answer 7

See this clip from the Emmy winning documentary "I Have Tourette's, But Tourettes Dosen't Have Me". Produced by HBO and the TSA

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5419952820725946842&q=I+have+tourettes+but+tourettes+doesnt+have+me&hl=en

People can only repeat what they have heard or learned and that includes TS patients.

Answer 8

First, Tourette's syndrome is NOT a mental illness.

However, Tourette's syndrome causes a malfunction of some areas of the brain, including the verbal censors that are inherent to most people.

Answer 9

Hallelujah!

Answer 10

good point, if they never heard a swear word before then what would they shout?
And is Tourettes just a way of being abusive but being able to get away with it. Where else could you shout such words in public but be tolerated? I reckon a good slap on the botty when they were youngsters would have stopped it there and then.