Product Description
A revised and concise guide to the latest thoughts and findings on Tourette’s Syndrome

Edited by two of the leading international authorities on Tourette’s Syndrome and tic-related, obsessive-compulsive disorders, Tourette’s Syndrome is the most up-to-date edited reference covering this neuropsychiatric disorder and related disorders from a variety of perspectives. Featuring contributors from the world-renowned Yale Child Study Center, this volume introduces a groundbreaking developmental framework for understanding Tourette’s–defined by persistent motor and vocal tics and frequently associated with obsessions, compulsions, and attentional difficulties–and maps out the diagnosis, genetics, manifestations, and treatment.

Reflecting more than 25 years of research, this comprehensive resource describes the major categories of disorders (TS, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities) as well as the strengths and adaptation of individuals with Tourette’s.A broad, detailed discussion of pathogenesis is provided, including epidemiological studies and environmental risk and protective factors.The book also highlights the necessary partnerships between children, families, and clinicians in the struggle to achieve wished-for outcomes.

Enriched by the knowledge of specialists at the forefront of genetics, psychology, neuropsychology, pharmacology, neurochemistry, and epidemiology, among other fields, Tourette’s Syndrome gives clinicians valuable insight into the minds of and proper care for individuals battling this and related disorders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

TS encyclopedia
I'm a mother who's son was recently diagnosed with tourettes and this book is very thourough.It covers all aspects of the syndrome and has been extremely reliable answering so many questions for which no one could provide the answers.

Leckman and book is right on.
I bought this book after I found it mentioned in several posts and chat rooms for Tourette's Syndrome.

James Leckman and his book are held in high regard by the TS community.

If you are looking for an approach to the problem that doesn't involve drugs, look here, it is covered.There are techniques and methods explained, such as Habit Reversal, that have been validated as working for TS; validated over a long time. The method was originated in 1973 by Azrin. ....

Excellent resource to have in your reference library
Even if you work with only one or two children with Tourette's Syndrome, this compilation of over 25 years of research results with a client base of thousands is an excellent resource to have in your reference library. Thedocumentation of multidisciplinary contributions makes it convenient toexplore concepts further without having to search through a wide variety ofprofessional journals. Two useful features include the summary of onechapter and preview of the next on the same page and the assessment toolsfound in the Appendices.The recommended treatment approach focuses onsupporting development of the child over time, rather than just eliminatingsymptoms. A multidisciplinary team of professionals can provide a varietyof treatment approaches to address the factors affecting the child at homeand at school. Coordination by a flexible, non-doctrinaire clinician, andpartnerships with parents and teachers are encouraged. While the authorssuggest that the school psychologist fill this role, not all schools haveaccess to one with the necessary perspective on treatment. Instead, thelicensed professional social worker is more likely to employ themultidisciplinary, strengths-based, coordinated approach to caring forchildren with Tourette's Syndrome and related conditions. Contributionsfrom licensed professional social workers would be an asset to the nextedition.

This book is an excellent resource
This is one of the best and most comprehensive works on Tourette's Syndrome I've come across.Scientists and/or practitioners working with people who have TS should buy this book.As a psychologist who works withpeople who have TS, I've found this book to be my best resource on thesubject. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides information to teachers and parents to aid in the teaching of studentswith attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette Syndrome or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Very Good Experience
Very good book.My daughter has Tourettes and this has been very helpful.My purchasing experience was great.Easy to find.Shipped quickly.Great experience.

Extemely helpful
I would love to see this book updated and organized with color coded tabs for easy reference. It had a lot of good tools and ideas, for both parents and teachers. We pass this along to our teacher every year.

Very helpful resources
I have a now 17 year old daughter who began really struggling in school at age 10, 5th grade. We had her evaluated by the school and they determined that because her IQ was high, she was not eligible for special services, despite the fact that she was failing almost every subject and had trouble socially. I took her to our own child neuro-psychiatrist and, after a lengthy interview and eval, she was diagnosed with tourette syndrome. Further it was determined that she was manifesting her TS with many symptoms of ADHD and OCD...something the school district refused to take into consideration.

I stumbled upon this book at our local book store and literally sat in the aisle just soaking up the most accurate description of my daughter that anyone had ever been able to give me - and it was a BOOK! It was as if I could have written the list of symptoms and the various methods they offered that work (most of the time). I immediately paid the $35 for this book without reservation and read it from cover to cover, several times. There are about 10 pages in the back of the book with many many other resources for parents, DR's and educators.

The thing about any brain disorder is that they vary in degree and there are very few who have an exact definition or symptomology...iow, no two are ever truly alike. It is VERY common for kids with TS to have crossover symptoms of ADHD and OCD and vice versa. This book addresses those symptoms. This book also talks a lot about the common 'rage attacks' that many of these kids experience and how it's such a normal reaction to what they are going through...it really helps the parents to put their child's behavior into perspective and rather than parent from a purely punitive standpoint, the parent can custom fit their parenting styles to suit that child. This book shows you how to do that. It offers tips and resources to help teachers deal with these types of kids in a way that is not humiliating and embarrassing to the child or his classmates. This book helped me to 'read' my daughter and learn how to diffuse a rage attack before it happened - any idea how incredible that is??

Most teachers have been trained to teach one way. They have a population of about 24-30+ students in their class and they have to figure out a way to teach them all so they teach to the majority. Who does that leave out? The bright shiny star students and those who need a helping hand or those who need just a little encouragement and a few secret code words to get through a lesson plan. The majority of teachers do not have the time or the wherewithall to accomplish the goal of moving from one lesson plan to the next with ease when she has even ONE special needs kid in her class. Someone loses and most often, it is the student who needs the help the most. Sure, the schools provide paras, but only in the classrooms that have a named special education student in them. If you have a kid who has TS and isn't designated Spec Ed, then his/her class will not have a para in it.

That's another reason this book is so valuable to ALL teachers. Each of our children learn in their own way...there is a way to teach them and teach them well. This book should be mandatory reading for all prospective teachers. Every teacher should have this book in her library!! I made 3 copies for my district, one for the elementary level, one for junior high, and one for the high school level. I don't think one person ever cracked it open; if my daughters experiences at our local public school are any indication. We transferred out to a charter school in 9th grade. She did very well there. The entire staff was very up on their special needs kiddos and my daughter benefitted from their style of teaching and their empathy - something that is sorely lacking in our public schools in my opinion. Buy this book!

This helped.
I am 19 and when I was in elementary school tourette's was still looked upon by many proffessionals and most authority as something that "didnt exist"or the parents fault. My [...] teacher mrs. streneva used to poke me so hard in the chest when i disbehaved that i recieved many bruises on my chest. the doctors said i would never make it through public school. My mom paid 40 some dollars for this book back then, and we didnt have alot of money, and it cost a fortune, and this book was my moms treasure and she never ever let me hold it and never ever let any of the teachers borrow it, instead, she made then copied pages & such, and then the teachers would request more information on a topic and my mom would copy it from this book. this book educated alot of authority and all the teachers at Pleasant Elementary in Warren, Pennsylvania. This is a big miracle, I have a huge thanks for the writers who did this. This book is a 100% MUST HAVE for ANYONE with ANY amount of children with tourettes syndrome, ADHD, Depression, bi poklar, or any such. It is a strictly MUST HAVE. I reccomend this with everything in my heart and for helping me get through elementary school. As for for making it through public school? I am now a freshman at edinboro university of pennsylvania and even though my grades arent very good, I have made it this far, and I can do things with my life that doctors never thought would be possible. I am almost tic free, thanks to my medications. And it all started with this book.

CLASSROOM-Specific TS Info for Teachers!!!
I love this book, which I have found invaluable in educating my son's teachers about the disorder. It is basically a compilation of information that any well read TS parent has probably found in 20 different locations, but for the novice looking for a thorough overview in one book, "Teaching The Tiger" goes a LONG way toward increasing their TS education. It gives practical advise re behavioral interventions that work, and more importantly those that DON'T.

I find teachers are more receptive to this book because it is written specifically for teachers (rather than taking advise/instuction from a parent). I've found it to be quite credible and informative to them. I believe the answer to stigma, ignorance, and misinformation (ex: the 20/20-60 Minutes/media representation of TS), is education. This book provides it, specifically aimed at giving teachers tips on dealing with TS in the CLASSROOM environment. My son's teachers have been really grateful for these TS-specific insights.

If you can afford the $35 for this book, DO! It is a worthwhile investment into making your child's educational road a smoother one. In the meantime, you may be able to do what I did. I borrowed a copy from the library and made photo copies of the most relevant chapters for each teacher/aide involved with my son. I also either showed them the book itself or made a photocopy of the cover, in case they wanted to purchase/borrow the entire book themselves. If you have a good relationship with the principal or school librarian, suggesting that the school purchase a copy for the staff library is also practical.

Those are my two cents, on "Teaching The Tiger". "Taming the Tiger" came first and provides a similar compilation of info for parents and others learning about TS. I hope you'll check out these books for yourself.

AMM ... Read more

Product Description
The story of how Tourette syndrome, a common hereditarydisorder, provides insights into the cause and treatment of a widerange of human behavioral problems. It covers diagnosis, associatedbehaviors including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, learningdisorders, dyslexia, conduct disorder, obsessive-compulsive behaviors,alcoholism, drug abuse, obesity, depression, panic attacks, phobias,night terrors, bed wetting, sleep disturbances, lying, stealing,inappropriate sexual behavior, and others, brain structure andchemistry, treatment and implications for society, over 2,500references, 30 page Tourette syndrome-Human Behavior Questionnaire,and Extensive index ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Very Informative Read
Very informative and thorough book with lots of family testimonies.A biology background is helpful to understand the genetic and physiology chapters but not necessary as the author gives a step by step approach.

A little DATED but worthwhile if you use caution.
This book needs to be updated badly.The behaviors in this book are spot on.Remember its a syndrome,you definatly WILL get some of the features of this neurobiological disorder but not all of them.I used this book while my adopted son was growing up.It helped me a lot.The book catalogues the lives of about 2,000 patients that were seen by Dr. Comings and his collegues, and so it covers pretty much everything.A few rules to follow if you have a loved one with this disorder:

1 - Never Lie
2 - Make no promises
3 - Never strive to create an ill feeling in someone with TS, they
create their own guilt, anger, disapointment, and sorrow.
4 - Set the best possible example and shun risk
5 - When they are young keep a regular schedule, structure is VERY good
6 - Try to have a cold temper, HOT tempers are not usefull
7 - They like bland food, do not fight over food, fix 2 meals, they eat
cheep
8 - They really do not know what happens next, and react badly to
unpleasant surprises.
9 - NO BB GUNS!
10 - They are easily taken advantage of, watch them like a hawk, they
WILL jump off a clif if their best friend does.
11 - Port - A - Patsy, scrutinize their friends closely.I'm not so sure
that the big crime figures are the result of bad behavior as much as
poor choises in friends.
12 - Be proactive and have a plan for failure.
13 - Absolutely NEVER allow someone with TS to posses a NUKYELLAR BOMB.
Sorry, my son got me again. ;-)

FULL OF OUTDATED & WRONG INFO -DON"T BUY!
As a parent of a child with Tourette's, I feel I must warn anyone trying to learn about TS to ABSOLUTELY NOT buy this horrifying book.It is full of completely outdated and flat out wrong information that has long since been dismissed by current clinical studies.Please skip it and go read Brad Cohen's book

Editor@Tourettes-Disorder.com - Review
This book is a great book for the patient diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at the secondary and tertiary level of the disorder; or a person in a personal relationship with the same patient.They will understand and relate much more throughout the pages without a "Scare Factor".There are possible more sever co-morbid conditions the Dr. amplifies in the secondary and tertiary diagnosis which are not so prevalent in a first level diagnosis if at all.

I doc the book only 1 star solely for the purpose of some statistical analysis concerns which for the most part are of little value to most patients.It's a M.D. and Ph.D neurological posturing and arguing point for clinicians, researchers among many other peer review arguments.Nonetheless, the adjustment is warranted.

One of the wonderful qualities of the book is the ease of language character for the lay reader in respect of the volume size and medical matter.It is not hard to understand the theories, line of reasoning, and detail Dr. Comings presents.

True; the Dr.'s work is vastly based on those who seek treatment for the disorder, as would be expected because of his practice and leadership at the City of Hope.This is a plus however for those who seek treatment because it focuses on that range of patients.For that margin of patients it is illuminating and liberating to have a name and understanding by medical clinicians of what Tourettes has meant to them on their level.

For a mild case of Tourettes, this may only be a book you can discover information about others who suffer from the disorder more than you.Don't let it scare you however.Even if your case is mild, the pedigree education, charts, tables, neurology, survey and more, can help you understand a riddle.

"Having Tourettes is kind of like a riddle. Tourette Syndrome can be tough to understand and solve, however like a riddle, Tourette Syndrome can be quite easy to accept once you understand it." - Paul Marshall - Editor Tourettes-Disorder.com

Caution, a terrifying book for those new to the syndrome
This unfortunately was the first book I read on the subject of Tourette Syndrome. My child was then 4 years old and newly diagnosed with the condition, and an absolute angel, sweetheart, mild-mannered, sociable pre-schooler with tics. I needed therapy after reading this book for fear of all the horrible things that might become reality for my child, not to mention I felt so low about my family members from a genetic pool standpoint, I wondered if I'd ever be able to lift my head proudly again.

Fortunately many years have passed and much of what was indicated that very well could become my child's reality in living with Tourette Syndrome, (in terms of difficulties with the condition and socialization), never did. A second child within my family was later dx'd with the same syndrome and happily for us, things are going much better than this book would have ever lead me to believe.

I encourage those who are new to this condition to start reading somewhere else before tackling this book, and when and if you decide to read this one, make sure you have a support group lined up for the after math. In my opinion, this book may very well cause more grief than the condition, if for no other reason than for the fear mongering of what may never come to pass.

Fortunately, much research has been done in recent years on the condition, and I feel that the picture of living with Tourette Synderome is much brighter than my earlier days when I had nothing other than this book to benchmark the condition by. ... Read more

Product Description
If you suffer from Tourette Syndrome (TS), or any other chronic motor or vocal tic disorder, you know how difficult it can be to manage your symptoms. You may be taking medication or working with a medical doctor to control your tics. If you are seeking an alternative or adjunctive treatment, you may wish to try the scientifically proven behavior therapy program described in this workbook.

Behavior therapy can teach you skills for effectively managing your tics. Designed to be used in conjunction with visits to a qualified mental health professional, this workbook outlines an 11-session treatment package for adults and children with tic disorders.

Behavior therapy can teach you skills for effectively managing your tics. Designed to be used in conjunction with visits to a qualified mental health professional, this workbook outlines an 11-session treatment package for adults and children with tic disorders. The goal of this program is not to cure your disorder, but to teach you the best ways to manage it so that you can improve your quality of life and look to the future with optimism.

TreatmentsThatWorkTM represents the gold standard of behavioral healthcare interventions!



·All programs have been rigorously tested in clinical trials and are backed by years of research


·A prestigious scientific advisory board, led by series Editor-In-Chief David H. Barlow, reviews and evaluates each intervention to ensure that it meets the highest standard of evidence so you can be confident that you are using the most effective treatment available to date


·Our books are reliable and effective and make it easy for you to provide your clients with the best care available


·Our corresponding workbooks contain psychoeducational information, forms and worksheets, and homework assignments to keep clients engaged and motivated


·A companion website (www.oup.com/us/ttw) offers downloadable clinical tools and helpful resources


·Continuing Education (CE) Credits are now available on select titles in collaboration with PsychoEducational Resources, Inc. (PER) ... Read more

Product Description
Getting Personal, Stories of Life with Tourette Syndrome contains twenty-two stories depicting life with Tourette syndrome. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Getting Personal: Stories of Life with Tourette Syndrome
I think that it is a great book. If you look into one of 22 stories in the book, you will find that one of them is MINE. My name is Eric Daily. The article is called " Thank You Dateline ". I discoverd that I had TS in October of 1998. I am 37 now.
Michael Defilippo contacted me through my web site and asked me if I would like to tell my story. I of course told him sure. He has done a wonderful job in editing and writing this book. It shows the personal side of TS, from words of those who actualy deal with it on a daily basis. You may contact my web site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CW_TS

A Much Needed Book
As a parent of a child with Tourette syndrome, I read whatever I can about this neurological condition. What helps the most are stories about adults who have "survived" childhood and adolescence and are now successfully living their adult years. Their life experiences give me hope for my son, and they inform my son that he is not alone and that he has a future. This is EXACTLY the kind of book we needed to read! There are so few books of its kind (I know of only two others). Michael DeFilippo and the various essayists in the book display much honesty and courage. This book is not only for those who have Tourette syndrome and their families; it is for educators at all levels, employers, and all people everywhere! We are all different in some way, and yet we are all very much the same. Thank you, Michael, for that lesson.

The daily lives of those with Tourette Syndrome
Compiled by Michael G. DeFilippo (who was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in 1998), Getting Personal: Stories Of Life With Tourette Syndrome is a collection of true anecdotes from those who have the Tourette condition, often called the "cursing disease" as it is characterized by involuntary verbal outbursts such as curse words. Informal insights into the daily lives of those with Tourette Syndrome combined with "first-person" journal entries to make for a rewarding, informative reading that speaks directly from experience to life and which is especially recommended reading for the friends and families of those who are afflicted with Tourette Syndrome.

Tourette Syndrome Personal??Now it Is
Aside from reading this engaging collection, I have only had one other experience that made me -- a lifelong Touretter -- feel at ease with my mind and body.That was at the Tourette Syndrome of America's national conference. I never could imagine roomfuls of people displaying the wide spectrum of tics that accompany the greatly misunderstood disorder; roomfuls of people all like me.It was the first time in 35 years that I felt I truly belonged.

Now, Michael DeFillippo has recreated that experience with this touching and "real" collection of essays.TS is not just the "cursing disease;" in fact, as DeFillippo and his contributors point out, that symptom is one of the rarer tics. In fact, where this book triumphants is where the media has shamefully fails.It portrays TS as is truly is: a very diverse disorder with a vast array of symptoms that each carry their own severity. The accounts you will read are from everyday people who suffer, or are close to someone who suffers from TS. The prose is not all glamorous or "sexy;" instead the beauty of the words are found in their realism.

You don't need to know someone with TS to appreciate Getting Personal (although, as statistics reveal 1 in 200 Americans display some form of the disorder, most likely, you do).These accounts personify TS while reminding us that we all have something that affects our lives, and teaches us understanding and acceptance on a grander scale.The cast of characters who tell their stories are entertaining, empathic and enjoyable.Read Getting Personal.No matter what your circumstances, it will give you a sense of belonging.

Extraordinary View
DeFilippo gives an extraordinary view of Tourette Syndrome by capturing the hearts, minds and souls of each individule's story.
He has professionally and compassionatly compiled several stories of real people living with Tourette Syndrome and overcoming the day to day obstacles into one incredible book. This book takes you on a journey through several peoples lives and gives the reader great understanding of this disorder. Living with Tourette Syndrome myself, I find this book to be real and true to life. It is easy raeding and I find myself in many of the stories. After reading accounts of people who live with this disorder, I know that I am no longer on this journey alone.
Thank you, Mr. DeFilippo, for your honesty and understanding of Tourette Syndrome and for opening your heart and sharing with each of us. Also, thank you to the contributers for each of your stories. ... Read more

Product Description
Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (or Tourette's Syndrome), is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder affecting about 5 people in every 10,000. It is characterized by motor and vocal tics, and upsetting anti-social behavior such as involuntary swearing and obscene gestures. This book, written by a psychologist and a psychiatrist who have been researching Tourette's Syndrome for many years, explains the causes of the syndrome, how it is diagnosed, and the ways in which it can be treated. Essential reading for Tourette's sufferers, their relatives and friends, Tourette's Syndrome: The Facts will also be of use to clinicians, general practitioners, schoolteachers, and anyone seeking an accessible introduction to the disorder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A review of "The Facts"
I used this book to help me in writing a paper for one of my psychology classes at a university.It was very useful in helping me decipher a lotof the medical terms that are associated with the syndrome, and also toclear up many of the myths regarding Tourette's Syndrome.It explained thecause, symptoms, treatment and family issues in a way that was very easy tounderstand.This book would be very helpful to someone who knows a personwith Tourette's Syndrome in the understanding of their disease.There is alot of good information, and also resources to point you in the directionof other research.I learned several things by reading this book, but Ithink that the most important thing that this book offers is that it clearsup the myths and stereotypes that afflict people with this syndrome.Iwould highly recommend "The Facts".

tourette syndromethe facts
An ideal 1st book for those who have recently been diagnosed, and for family and friends.This is easily digested,but has not been "dumbed down".Written in a positive way it contaians some sensible adviceabout coping with TS in the real world.Written by 2 of Englands topspecialists in Tourette Syndrome ,it is a book that gives you theconfidence to question the doctors,and answer those posed by people whowant to know more about your problrms.The extensive bibliography gives manyleads for anyone wanting a more indepth understanding of the syndrome,andthe suggested "introduction card" deserves a special credit ofits own.This is a book I would recommend to who is interested in thesyndrome,at any level. ... Read more

Product Description
A moving and informative story of how a mother struggledwith the many behavioral problems presented by her son with Tourettesyndrome, ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Ryan: A Mother's Story of Her Hyperactive/Tourette Syndrome
I would like a 3-4 page review of this book, please.It would mean so much to me.

Thank you,

Karie

A must have for parents of children with Tourette Syndrome
Susan Hughes generously allows us into her familysprivate struggle with TS and ADHD. She shows how life really is as a parent struggling to control this disorder. She offers us a look into what the future might hold for anyparentthat has a child with Tourettes.This book gives parents andeducators amuch better understanding of these disorders.If there issomeonein your life dealing with Tourettes then you must get them thisbook ... Read more

Product Description
A follow-up to Susan Hughes best selling book "RYAN - A Mother's Story of her Hyperactivity Tourette Syndrome Child covering his particularly difficult teenage years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

absoultely wonderful
this book is about a mom of a boy with servere tourettes. I t is excellent written she is real able to convey her pain and also her hope for her children. A must read for all intrested or avected by tourettes. the last chapter is by young ryan himself it is also vey intrsting.

A heartfelt story of ups and downs
This book is a must have for parents of childrens with tourette syndrome.It certainly proved we are not alone in the daily struggles we and our familys face. Although this can be a depressing book at times, it does goto show that with an incredible amount of patience and knowledge, you canhandle anything. ... Read more

Product Description
Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder usually diagnosed in childhood. It is characterized by tics, physical jerks, and involuntary vocalizations. Children with Tourette's can experience anxiety, embarrassment, sometimes even harassment. Their symptoms often prevent them from building good relationships, achieving their best in school, and having a normal childhood. The good news is that OCD is very treatable. Tourette's Syndromehelps parents:

Secure an accurate and complete diagnosisLive with Tourette's in the family: use effective parenting techniques, build support systems, and handle difficult issuesUnderstand medical interventionsGet appropriate medical care from an existing health planDeal with Tourette's in the community and workplaceNavigate the education systemFind resources

Customer Reviews (1)

Good overview with lots of information
My son starting displaying tics, so I went to the library in
search of information.This book looked good, so I took it
home and read it.I found it very readable and informative.
I believe the author is not a medical expert, which normally
would make me skeptical of the information, but in this case
the book seems very well researched and reasonable.I like it.
The text includes frequent quotes from people with TS, their
parents, and others, which I found helpful and reassuring.
I haven't read enough TS books to really say how this
one compares to others, but I don't think anyone who buys
this book will be disappointed.

FYI, after reading this book, I was convinced my son did
in fact have Tourettes, so I took him to a neurologist, and
it was confirmed.I felt the book had prepared me well for
everything the neurologist told me. ... Read more

Product Description
This handbook provides the knowledge and information required to equip teachers and learning support assistants with the understanding and skills needed when working with pupils with Tourette syndrome.

Clinical descriptions and medical treatments are discussed and advice on diagnosis, identification and assessment in the classroom is given. Responding to the learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties pupils may experience, the authors provide multi-disciplinary strategies for application within a school. ... Read more

Product Description
Dr. Comings tells the story of his 18 years of involvement with Tourette syndrome, from both the level of treating thousands of patients with this common and complex disorder, to his clinical, genetic and molecular genetic research. He quickly realized this was more than just a tic disorder. His patients and their relatives had problems with a wide range of behaviors including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD0, obsessive compulsive behaviors, conduct and oppositional defiant disorder, rages, mania, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, sexual, sleep, and other disorders. Because Tourette syndrome is genetic, this involvement with a spectrum of disorders had broad implications about the causes of behaviors that most mental health workers attributed to psychological problems, poor parenting, or learned behaviors. His genetic studies led him to eventually conclude that Tourette syndrome was a polygenic disorder caused by the coming togetherfrom both parents of a number of genes affecting dopamine, serotonin and other brain chemical. Dr. Comings relates how the concept that many human behavioral disorders were genetically interrelated was initially ridiculed. These attitudes began to change as other reported similar findings and as his concept gained support from molecular genetic studies of specific genes. ... Read more

Product Description
Over a century and a half ago, a French physician reported the bizarre behavior of a young aristocratic woman who would suddenly, without warning, erupt in a startling fit of obscene shouts and curses. The image of the afflicted Marquise de Dampierre echoes through the decades as the emblematic example of an illness that today represents one of the fastest-growing diagnoses in North America. Tourette syndrome is a set of behaviors, including recurrent ticcing and involuntary shouting (sometimes cursing) as well as obsessive-compulsive actions. The fascinating history of this syndrome reveals how cultural and medical assumptions have determined and radically altered its characterization and treatment from the early nineteenth century to the present.A Cursing Brain? traces the problematic classification of Tourette syndrome through three distinct but overlapping stories: that of the claims of medical knowledge, that of patients' experiences, and that of cultural expectations and assumptions. Earlier researchers asserted that the bizarre ticcing and impromptu vocalizations were psychological--resulting from sustained bad habits or lack of self-control. Today, patients exhibiting these behaviors are seen as suffering from a neurological disease and generally are treated with drug therapy. Although current clinical research indicates that Tourette's is an organic disorder, this pioneering history of the syndrome reminds us to be skeptical of medical orthodoxies so that we may stay open to fresh understandings and more effective interventions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Cursing Brain
This is an excellent and comprehensive review of how Tourette Syndrome has
treated -- and mistreated -- through history. It reveals how much the
viewpoint of the reseacher (doctor, psychologist, etc.) determines the
course of a study or how a patient is seen. Anyone interested specifically
in TS will find it fascinating, but I think it is most relevant as a
reminder that the scientist is a participant in a relationship with a
patient. Medical students, medical researchers, physicians... should all
read it.

Fascinating but a bit thick
This is a fascinating and well-researched book, both in terms of TS itself and the history of medicine and psychology in Europe and the US.Some of the stories are just heart rending.The writing is sometimes a bit overly academic, however, and readers without graduate degrees or lots of other practice reading turgid prose may get a bit worn out while plowing through some of the paragraphs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Researching Tourettes
I read this book in my ongoing research to understand this disorder.My young son has Tourettes, OCD and ADHD.I wanted to read a first hand account of an adult with this disorder.It was enlightening, but it was also just one man's experience.Tourettes is different for each person who has it.Treatment decisions are different for each person.I did not like that he referred to TS as "the demon".I did like that the reader will understand some very important things about Tourettes.1) That it is not a mental illness.2) That it does not impede intelligence and ability to learn. 3) That it is grossly misunderstood.Education about this disorder is the key to removing the mystery and the stigma.This book helps in that endeavor.

Educational... not always offers what I want
Fowler combines personal experience and his very indepth research to make for an interesting book to learn about Tourette Syndrome. He lived a life worth telling full of improper diagnoses and decades of drug testing to cure his demons. While there are personal stories throughout, I really wanted to get to learn his life. He is a musician now... how did he survive beforehand?

Years of sedatives and tranquilizers must have left him to tired to work but he doesnt mention if he worked or not. I would like to know what kind of occupations a person with Tourettes can find. I wish he went through a day in his life. Does the Tourettes cause trouble brushing his teeth? Isn't it a hazard for him to drive, how does he have a license if he arms can jerk at any moment?

The book does not really give you an idea how a person with Tourettes lives life. I also would have liked to see if he would consider alternatives to stress releases such as acupuncture or yoga to increase focus and motor skills.

Fowler put a lot of personal, emotional, and informative things that made his book good but it is missing components such as just mentioned that make me feel like it is incomplete.

DID NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS...
This slender tome gives the reader a non clinical, layperson's peek into the world of those who suffer from the little understood malady known as Tourette Syndrome. The author, who himself has this disorder, speaks about the various manifestations of Tourette Syndrome and gives a brief historical overview of this malady. While informative, it fails to capture the reader, who comes away knowing a little more about the disorder, but never fully comprehends what life was like for the author who grew up with Tourette Syndrome, though tantalizing glimpses are offered. So, if one were looking for a personal memoir of a person growing up with Tourette Syndrome, this would not be that book. If one merely wants a layperson's synopsis of Tourette Syndrome, then this book may be of some value.

A true inside look of a Trouetter - looking out
This book gave an indepth sense of what is going on inside of a person with tourette syndrome. It gives you a strong feel of the helplesness when your mind says one thing, and your body does something entirely on its own. My eleven year old son cries at night and begs me to make this "Tourette" thing go away - make me be normal like everyone else. This book tells it from the heart.

Extremely helpful. The best view inside the mind of TS.
The Unwelcome Companion is the first book I have found that truly describes the feelings and thoughts occurring inside the mind of a person with Tourette's.

A short, no-nonsense read, containing some helpful but layperson-oriented basic information about tics, TS treatments, etc. However, the true power of the book is found in the chapters explaining obsessions,compulsions, and the way it "feels" to have tics. As a person with TS, this is the most important part to me. Physicians should read these chapters in order to get a better grasp of the disorder they are trying to treat and its effect on the TS patient.

The newest cutting-edge treatments are best found in other, actual medical professional's books. However, Fowler's vivid descriptions of the tic processes remain timeless and unsurpassed.

A reader ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
This book has been created for parents who have decided to make education and research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it also gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it tells parents where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to tourette syndrome (also Chronic Motor Tic; Chronic Multiple Tics; Gilles de la Tourette syndrome; Gilles de la Tourette's disease; Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Habit Spasms), from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. The title of this book includes the word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebook draws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research. Selected readings from various agencies are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on tourette syndrome. Given parents' increasing sophistication in using the Internet, abundant references to reliable Internet-based resources are provided throughout this sourcebook. Where possible, guidance is provided on how to obtain free-of-charge, primary research results as well as more detailed information via the Internet. E-book and electronic versions of this sourcebook are fully interactive with each of the Internet sites mentioned (clicking on a hyperlink automatically opens your browser to the site indicated). Hard-copy users of this sourcebook can type cited Web addresses directly into their browsers to obtain access to the corresponding sites. In addition to extensive references accessible via the Internet, chapters include glossaries of technical or uncommon terms. ... Read more

Product Description
Tourette's syndrome is now recognized as a common, lifelong condition and a "model" disorder reflecting the interaction of genetic vulnerability and environmental factors. Along with progress in research on Tourette's and other tic disorders, new approaches to treating this neuropsychiatric disturbance are now attracting wide interest among mental health workers. This book provides the broadest, most up-to-date account of this group of disorders, their features, symptoms, etiology, and diagnosis, and various psycho-social disorders with similar symptoms. It also presents a variety of environmental and pharmacological therapeutic approaches which underscore areas of disagreement in the field, as well as new genetic, neurochemical, and pharmacologic knowledge. The contributors to this work are all leading researchers or clinicians. ... Read more

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A PRACTICAL LIFELINE FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES ... Read more