ALL THE SYMPTOMS MANIFESTED OR GENERATED BY TOURETTE SYNDROME CAN IN NO WAY BE PIN-POINTED TO ANY ONE PARTICULAR AREA OF THE NEURO-COMPLEX OF THE BRAIN. RATHER, SOME AREAS ARE MORE RESPONSIBLE AND SOME ARE LESS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VARIOUS SYMPTOMS. Instead, the neuro-complex of the brain works as a unit. COPROLALIA, COPROPRAXIA, AND COPROGRAPHIA:
General:
Coprolalia is basically compulsive swearing. The age of onset is about 10 years old on the average and usually follows shortly after the onset of the motor and/or vocal tics. Curse words can be simplex (single words like f--k, s--t, and p--s) or complex (phrases such as motherf----r, etc). in nature. The characteristic of coprolalia that distinguishes it from simple swearing is that the words come out in a compulsive, repetitive, almost ritualistic manner even when the person is not angry. Audibility can vary as some patients say the curse words under their breath or whispering them over and over. The opposite such as shouting or screaming curse words is also true and noted. Nonetheless, volume is a factor and the spectrum greatly varies. Like tics, coprolalia is repetitious (e.g., f--k, s--t, "hello", p--s, a--hole, "how are you doing") and an overwhelming URGE is also present. Like tics, coprolalia can be suppressed for a time and waxing and waning of it can occur as well. Also there is something called "mental" coprolalia where obscene words flow within the mind and take on a compulsive nature (much like obsessive thoughts). Copropraxia is obscene behavior and has many variations in its expression (e.g., giving the middle finger). Copropraxia is also compulsive, repetitive, and almost ritualistic in manner like coprolalia. Furthermore, copropraxia like tics is repetitious, associated with an overwhelming URGE, can be suppressed for a time, and prone to waxing and waning. As a note, a motor tic like touching the crotch, can be a copropraxic symptom if obscene meaning is apart it and is being displayed so.
Coprographia refers to obscene writing or drawings (e.g., writing curse words on walls, paper, etc. for display and drawing pornographic pictures with obscenities). Coprographia is compulsive, repetitive, and almost ritualistic in manner like coprolalia and copropraxia. It is also repetitious, associated with an overwhelming URGE, can be suppressed for a time, and prone to waxing and waning like tics.
Elaboration: The Copro's are not displayed in an intentional manner (on purpose) by the individual. Some studies suggest that the Copro's are manifestations of the Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior in TS. True, but since there is an URGE involved with the Copro's, it can also be classified with the Motor/Vocal Tics and Sexual Disorders. OCD also has the URGE aspect to it as well. Exhibitionism and Inappropriate Sexual Behavior can be seen as Copropraxia but more complex. There can be combinations of other symptoms with the Copro's like Motor or Vocal Tics. Also, in addition to the Copro's, many individuals with TS also have disinhibited or compulsive sexual behaviors such as sexual touching, an excessive preoccupation with sex, compulsive masturbation or exhibitionism. Given the other types of disinhibited sexual and aggressive behavior, the Copro's represent just a small part in a generalized or overall disinhibition disorder. The prefrontal cortex, the limbic system, the striatum, the cerebellum, the motor and sensory cortexes, and the memory network throughout all play a role in a disinhibition disorder such as seen in TS.
Technical: I have no research at the present time concerning details with neurological and/or genetic aspects 12/30/95.
Back to the general symptomatic categories Mark E. Kozlowski, editor and composer of the Tourette Syndrome Phenomenon
Tourette Syndrome and Human Behavior
