The authors surveyed 87 adolescent or adult patients with Tourette's
syndrome (TS) regarding the presence, characteristics, and functional
impact of non-obscene socially inappropriate (SI) behavior. Reported
behaviors included insulting others (22%), other SI comments (5%), and SI
actions (14%). More often, subjects described having an urge to carry out
these behaviors (30%, 26%, 22%, respectively), which they often attempted
to suppress. Non-obscene SI behavior was usually directed at a family
member or familiar person, at home or in a familiar setting. Social
difficulties commonly resulted. Non-obscene SI behavior is a common and
potentially disabling feature of TS. It is closely associated with conduct
disorder and attention deficit disorder and may represent part of a more
general dysfunction of impulse control in TS.
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