Tourette syndrome is a nervous system disorder involving repetitive movements or unwanted sounds. It is a chronic disorder that can last for years or lifelong. Its exact cause isn't known but may likely be caused by a combination of inherited (genetic) and environmental factors. Chemicals in the brain that transmit nerve impulses (neurotransmitters), including dopamine and serotonin, might play a role.
And according to Tourette Association of America's website (tourette.org), it defines the syndrome as a neurodevelopmental disorder that becomes evident in early childhood or adolescence. It is part of the spectrum of Tic Disorders and is characterized by motor and vocal tics.
Why should we talk about this syndrome?
Reason why I decided to talk about this syndrome today is because many people do not know there is a kind of health disorder called Tourette. Until yesterday, I was not aware of this syndrome myself so I took up the challenge of learning more about it. It is also a common syndrome in Nigeria, even though many do not know about it. According to data from the University College Hospital (UCH) of the University of Ibadan, there are a reported 100,000 cases of Tourette syndrome reported per year in Nigeria.
Naming
The syndrome was named after Georges Gilles de la Tourette, the pioneering French neurologist who in 1885 first described the condition in an 86-year-old French noblewoman.
Is Tourette Syndrome a mental illness?
Tourette's was classified by the fourth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR ) as one of several tic disorders "usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence" according to type (motor or phonic tics) and duration (transient or chronic). Transient tic disorders consisted of multiple motor tics, phonic tics or both, with a duration between four weeks and twelve months. Chronic tic disorder was either single or multiple, motor or phonic tics (but not both), which were present for more than a year. Tourette's is diagnosed when multiple motor tics, and at least one phonic tic, are present for more than a year. The fifth version of the DSM (DSM-5 ), published in May 2013, reclassified Tourette's and tic disorders as motor disorders listed in the neurodevelopmental disorder category, and replaced transient tic disorder with provisional tic disorder, but made few other significant changes.
Can Tourette syndrome ever go away?
Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes uncontrolled sudden, repetitive muscle movements and sounds known as Tics. The tics associated with Tourette syndrome tend to get milder or go away entirely as kids grow into adulthood. Until that happens, though, parents can help their child cope with the condition. And as stated, treatment can help, but the condition cannot be cured.
For further reading, please see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourette_syndrome

Source: https://abiodundaniels./2018/09/25/ever-heard-of-tourette-syndrome-well-lets-talk-about-it/

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