Tourette’s Syndrome: Coprolalia

I barely managed to squeeze onto the packed train, ducking an armpit here, and an elbow there. An array of tired faces at the end of the day hovered above a sea of dark coloured coats and scarves. Amidst the murmur of conversation and the announcements for the next stations, I heard an expletive, loud and clear. Then a moment later, another obscenity. I felt sorry for the meek lamb on the receiving end as I hadn’t heard a reply.

As a flurry of more of the same rained down on the carriage, I craned my neck to see the source. I wasn’t alone in doing so. Myriad pairs of eyes were now looking at a young man, in his early thirties; dressed neatly in jeans and a dark jacket, and producing a stream of swear words.

Just as quickly, we all looked away, puzzled and perplexed. The people sitting next to him and in front of him were calmly reading their newspapers. At least they gave that impression. It was one of these sitting arrangements where two seats faced two more, in cozy alcoves along the length and breadth of the carriage. At the next stop, the woman sitting next to him got off. A middle-aged, elaborately coiffed lady got on the train and quickly sat down, probably thinking how lucky she was at nabbing a seat.

“Good evening,” the young man said to her.
Turning to him, pleased at his nice manners, she replied, “Good evening.”
The pleasant smile was as quickly wiped off her face when another string of insults came out.

On getting home that night, I couldn’t wait to find out what causes this disorder. Coprolalia is a disorder that causes sufferers to utter swear words and other insulting or sexual statements unintentionally.

I wondered what life was like for this young man, with boyish good looks and a flow of untamed language.