Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Creativity

Do Tics Do More Than Just Tick You Off?

The Romantic idea of the troubled artist is still a valid concept even in today's ever-changing world. As scientists discover more and more about the brain and genetics, they are finding scientific proof for this Romantic ideal. Where once it was simply known that many writers were manic-depressive, it can now be proven that certain intellectual characteristics are genetically linked to manic-depression. By taking brain scans, scientist can see what part of the brain is affected by a certain neurobiological disorder and what effects it has on a person's personality. Such is the case for Tourette Syndrome (TS) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As scientists are finding the genetic causes of TS and OCD and the parts of the brain that is affected by these disorders, they are also finding the full range of symptoms that accompany TS and OCD. The physiological and psychological characteristics that are being discovered as generally associated with Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are qualities that greatly help stimulate the creative process thus making TS/OCD inflicted persons more susceptible to creativity.

TS is a "neurobiological disorder characterized by tics - involuntary, rapid, sudden movements and/or vocal outburst that occur repeatedly"(Handler 207)1. Physiologically it is believed that "TS results from a hypersensitivity of postsynaptic dopamine receptors" (IRSC Web Page)2. This hypersensitivity is believed to be caused by "reduced levels of dopamine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid" (IRSC Web Page)3.

Motor tics, tics involving the motor functions, can range from the constant jerk of an arm or the roll of the neck to excessive jumping up and down or kicking of walls. Lowell Handler, a writer with TS, described "feeling the need to jump in the air and kick the back of [his] thighs" as a teenager(Handler 2)4. Another type of tic he felt compelled to complete was "touching things repeatedly or invoking a particular phrase over and over"(Handler 2)5. Vocal tics are tics involving audible yelps, grunts, words and phrases.