Coprolalia: the irrepressible urge to speak obscenities

When we talk about the rationality of human beings, we often think about our ability to use language, reason through it, and formulate logical arguments through its use. However, language is not totally isolated from the irrational side of the brain function.

A phenomenon called coprolalia shows us that, when some changes occur in our nervous system, the involuntary and automatic component on which cognitive functions such as the use of language are based is revealed.

What is coprolalia?

Etymologically, the origin of the term coprolalia is the union of two Greek words that mean "feces", and "babble". Coprolalia or cacolalia is the tendency to impulsively say obscene words and phrases without having control over it, in a sustained way over time. Typically, these swear words and rude phrases are spoken louder than normal, such as if they were outbursts of rage, and each time this is done a feeling of guilt.

The reason for this is that coprolalia is a pathological tendency related to a type of dehinibition. What cannot be inhibited in cases of coprolalia has to do, precisely, with words and expressions that are not socially accepted or that are linked to aggressive behaviors.

People with this tendency can, for example, insult someone and immediately show their regret.

Behind coprolalia there is a very stereotypical thought pattern that is repeated many times: attention is drawn to thoughts that have to see with taboo or unpleasant ideas, and then these ideas are expressed verbally immediately, as if it were something irresistible, and in a way involuntary.

Eschatological verbalizations in coprolalia

Coprolalia is a pathological tendency based on impulses towards eschatological verbalizations, but also towards derogatory comments, swear words in general, and ideas that are taboo. These verbalizations can be single words or they can be more or less complex sentences.

For example, it is common that in cases of coprolalia many words are said referring to the genitalia or sexual acts, and insults may also appear to people who may or may not be around at that time.

Coprolalia in Tourette Syndrome

Coprolalia is one of the symptoms most associated with Tourette syndrome, an inherited disorder in which the person reproduces many verbal and motor tics involuntarily. Unpleasant verbalizations are one of the repetitive and involuntary components of these tics, and coprolalia is one of the symptoms that can generate greater social rejection.

Although less than half of the people affected by Tourette Syndrome have coprolalia, being one of the the most striking symptoms has been culturally associated with this, as if it were an essential and inseparable component of the syndrome. In this regard, the case of the Chilean child is well known in Latin America. Agustín Arenas, "Super Taldo"whose verbalizations and tics went viral in the 1990s.

Another phenomenon similar to coprolalia and that is also associated with Tourette's Syndrome is copropraxia, the tendency to involuntarily and impulsively perform obscene and inappropriate gestures.

Causes of coprolalia

The exact biological cause of coprolalia is currently unknown., that is, the physical and chemical abnormalities in the structure and functioning of the brain that cause these verbalizations to appear. However, it is assumed that coprolalia is caused by the same abnormalities in the functioning of the inhibition mechanisms that cause involuntary tics to appear in people with Syndrome Tourette.

That is, hypothetically, people with coprolalia cannot repress thoughts related to obscenities, and have to to be expressing them aloud as if they were operating an escape valve that prevents a great discomfort from accumulating as these are inhibited ideas.

Coping strategies

There is no known form of treatment that guarantees the complete disappearance of the signs of coprolalia, and that is why the best way to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people who experience it has to go through teaching them coping strategies. Namely, ways to best manage the presence of coprolalia.

These coping strategies are often related to looking for ways to dampen verbalizations obscene, for example pronouncing only the first letters of the word to be said or muttering it between teeth. However, in some cases these strategies will not be effective as it is very difficult to predict when these words will be spoken.

Beyond these methods, a very invasive form of treatment that can reduce the intensity with which coprolalia is expressed is the use of botulinum toxin (botox) near the vocal cords, partially paralyzing them and causing the volume and intensity of these to decrease outbursts.