ADVANCE/Contrary to Popular Belief, Cursing Not Typical of Tourette Syndrome, Scientist Asserts

Business Wire, Sept 7, 1999

ADVANCE--BAYSIDE, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 7, 1999--

Contrary to popular belief, the involuntary use of obscene language is not a typical symptom of Tourette Syndrome (TS), asserts the chairman of the scientific advisory board of the Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA).

Neal Swerdlow, M.D., Ph.D., responded to a marked rise in media stories spreading the misperception that outbursts of foul language are common manifestations of the neurological disorder. "The fact is that 85 to 90 percent of people with TS do not generally voice obscenities," he states. "Especially hurtful to all people with TS is the frequent media labeling of the disorder as 'the cursing disease'."

Judit Ungar, executive director of TSA, notes that "this is not merely a matter of wounded feelings among the large population of children and adults who have TS. It tends to reinforce a damaging stigma which, unchecked, will lead to serious discrimination in education and employment as well as in social acceptance."

She adds that print and broadcast media have an obligation to avoid disseminating such inaccurate, harmful information.

There are some 200,000 cases of TS in the United States, with millions more manifesting associated conditions. Ungar emphasized that "despite symptoms of involuntary motor and vocal tics, most people with TS lead productive lives, many reaching high levels of achievement in their chosen professions."

(End of Advance for Release at 6:00 pm Sept. 7)