The Philosopher’s Zone – Exploring Tourette’s

Intro

In this episode of “The Philosopher’s Zone,” the host explores Tourette’s syndrome and the philosophical questions it raises. The guest, Lisa Curtis Wendland, an independent scholar and mother of a child with Tourette’s, shares her insights and experiences. They discuss the nature of Tourette’s, its impact on individuals and their families, and the challenges faced by caregivers. They also delve into the philosophical concepts of volition, embodiment, and the subjective experience of those with Tourette’s.

Main Takeaways

Tourette’s Syndrome and its Nature

• Tourette’s syndrome is a nervous system condition that causes ticks.
• Tourette’s is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder and onset must occur before the age of 18 for a clinical diagnosis.
• Tourette’s typically occurs in childhood, with onset around age 6-8.
• Tourette’s is distinguished from other tick disorders by the combination and persistence of ticks for over 12 months.
• Symptoms of Tourette’s can wax and wane over time and can present differently in public vs private settings.

Philosophical Questions Raised by Tourette’s

• Tourette’s raises philosophical questions about time, consciousness, intention, volition, and free will.
• Inactivism, an anti-representationalist view of cognition, can help reframe debates around volition in Tourette’s.
• A phenomenological approach to Tourette’s, focusing on subjective experiences, complements inactivism.
• Volition in Tourette’s is a complex concept, with individuals experiencing varying degrees of control over their ticks.
• Ticks can be simple or complex, with complex ticks being socially inappropriate behaviors or symptoms.

Challenges Faced by Caregivers

• Caregivers of those with Tourette’s often feel isolated and misunderstood.
• Caregiving should be recognized as a type of work that generates unique knowledge.
• Caregivers’ knowledge is complementary to the knowledge of the person with Tourette’s.
• There is a lack of clinical acknowledgement of the experiences of caregivers.
• Caregivers’ experiences are difficult to put into words.

Tourette’s and Society

• Tourette’s syndrome is often pathologized and misunderstood, but ticks can be integral to artistic expression.
• Society needs to learn to support people with tick disorders by suspending judgments and entering the conversation.
• Engaging in conversations and direct engagement with people who have Tourette’s is encouraged.
• Asking someone with Tourette’s how they would prefer you to respond to their tics is okay.
• Assumptions and talking about people with Tourette’s behind their back should be avoided.

Summary

Tourette’s Syndrome and its Nature

Tourette’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the presence of ticks, which are sudden, repetitive, and involuntary movements or sounds. Onset typically occurs in childhood, and the symptoms can persist for over 12 months. The nature of Tourette’s is complex, with symptoms varying in intensity and presentation depending on the setting. It is considered a neurological or biological condition rather than a psychogenic one.

Philosophical Questions Raised by Tourette’s

Tourette’s syndrome raises intriguing philosophical questions about various aspects of human experience. It challenges our understanding of time, consciousness, intention, volition, and free will. The inactivist view of cognition, which emphasizes the embodied and embedded nature of cognition, can provide a new perspective on volition in Tourette’s. Additionally, a phenomenological approach, focusing on the subjective experiences of individuals with Tourette’s, offers valuable insights into their unique way of being in the world.

Challenges Faced by Caregivers

Caregivers of individuals with Tourette’s face numerous challenges, including feelings of isolation and being misunderstood. Their experiences are often overlooked in clinical settings, and there is a lack of recognition for their unique knowledge generated through caregiving. Caregivers’ experiences are difficult to articulate, making it crucial to involve them in knowledge production and decision-making processes regarding the care of individuals with Tourette’s.

Tourette’s and Society

Society’s understanding and support for individuals with Tourette’s need improvement. Ticks, which are characteristic of Tourette’s, are often pathologized and misunderstood. However, ticks can also be seen as creative and skillful forms of action, integral to artistic expression. It is essential to engage in open conversations and direct engagement with people who have Tourette’s, respecting their preferences in responding to their ticks. Society should suspend judgments and enter the conversation to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with tick disorders.

Conclusion

Exploring Tourette’s syndrome raises thought-provoking philosophical questions and highlights the challenges faced by individuals with Tourette’s and their caregivers. By understanding the nature of Tourette’s, embracing different perspectives, and fostering open conversations, society can better support and empower those affected by this condition.