Inside Tourette Syndrome

A Documentary Film About a Misunderstood Syndrome

Sign in to add to Watchlist

This film was produced in order to help people to get a better understanding of what it is like for a person to have to live with Tourette syndrome. Many people who have this disorder have agreed that this documentary provides an unrivaled inside view of how it really feels to experience the tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms associated with TS.

Repetitive unwanted movements and vocalizations characterize the neurological disorder known as Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS). These are known as tics and they can consist of jerking, twitching, contortions, and verbal sounds. These are usually accompanied by obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors.

This documentary delves into the history of the syndrome and takes a look at the forms of treatment that were available in the past. This historical information brings to light the root of many of the misconceptions that still exist today. For instance, many years ago TS was confused with mischief, insanity, or even demonic possession.

During the time of the Inquisition, all those who had any bizarre symptoms or behaviors were executed, exorcised, or burned at the stake. This is known because an ancient document called the Malleus Maleficarum, which was the manual used to purge society of infidels, witches and others, gives a description of what is believed to be a priest suffering from what is now known as TS.

It wasn’t until the late 19^th century when proper analysis of neurological symptoms became a topic of interest. During this time, both Sigmund Freud and another scientist named Georges Albert Édouard Gille de la Tourette emerged with often conflicting views. They were both interested in studying hysteria, a term used to define any number of unclassifiable conditions.

Unfortunately, for many years society as a whole became enamored with Sigmund Freud’s ideas and it was firmly believed that repressed sexual tension, childhood trauma, and bad parenting were at the root of mental and neurological disorders.

In the 1960s, the Freudian Psychoanalysis camp suffered a tremendous blow when a drug named haloperidol was used to diminish the symptoms of TS. But it wasn’t until the 1980s when medical doctors became more familiarized with Tourette syndrome.

Although every person with Tourette’s might have a singular experience, and they might have a different set of symptoms to those that this film addresses, many of the commonly-found conditions are talked about by the men and women interviewed.

Some of the most powerful weapons that people with TS have to fight against are intrusive thoughts. These are often of a destructive nature and create a constant sense of impending doom. Learn more about Tourette syndrome in this enlightening documentary.