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Daniel Obajtek, CEO of PKN Orlen, is struggling with Tourette’s syndrome. As he revealed in an interview with the “Wprost” weekly, the most difficult part was in childhood. With age he began to cope better with this disease, as he emphasized, “the disease made him stronger”. What is Tourette’s syndrome and how does it manifest itself?
- Daniel Obajtek, the head of PKN Orlen, has been suffering from Tourette syndrome since he was a child
- In my childhood I suffered from my illness many times – he says in an interview with “Wprost”
- The disease strengthened me so that I could move on – adds Obajtek
- Tourette’s syndrome occurs between the ages of 2 and 15, boys are more likely than girls. The disease is incurable
- Various tics are the most characteristic symptom of the disease
- You can find more similar stories on the TvoiLokony home page
Daniel Obajtek on Tourette’s syndrome: it hardened me
Daniek Obajtek was recognized by the weekly magazine “Wprost” as the Man of the Year 2020. In an interview with the editor-in-chief of the magazine, Robert Feluś, he talked about his life with Tourette’s syndrome. As he admitted, the hardest part was when he was a child.
– When I was young it was not entirely accepted. It was shown as some otherness, something that can discriminate against a person. I have suffered from my illness many times. These laughs, smiles, taunts Obajtek said.
The head of PKN Orlen emphasized that the disease had hardened him, perhaps it made him find himself in the place he is now. “The disease strengthened me so that I could move forward, not to look back, not to listen to all those whispers and smirks,” he said.
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He noted that he does not avoid public appearances and that he was able to control the ailment to some extent.
– The mind can get used to many things, you just need to train it. You have to fight it, life is a constant struggle, often with yourself. You can never give up – he emphasized.
Tourette’s syndrome – what is it?
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The causes of the disease are unknown. Most likely, it has a genetic basis and is associated with disturbed metabolism of neurotransmitters in the brain.
The syndrome appears suddenly between the ages of 2 and 15 – most often in children aged 7. The child becomes motor hyperactive, has tics. He often repeats words (this symptom is the so-called perseveration), or expresses profanity (coprolalia). The child is unable to control it.
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Tourette’s syndrome occurs on average in 4 out of 10 people, it is three or four times more common in boys than in girls. The disease is incurable.
Tourette’s syndrome – symptoms
Typical symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome are a variety of tics: eye blinking, arm or head movements, grimacing, grunting, and smacking. Complex tics are present in the more severe form of the disease. The sick person jumps up, touches himself or other people, turns in circles, may utter words that are meaningless.
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Among the symptoms occurring in children (most often around the age of 10) there is coprolalia – uttering vulgar words. Scientists explain that children swear because they repeat words they hear from other people or, for example, on television. This phenomenon is called echolalia. Tics very often occur in series that can be considered attacks of the disease. If these symptoms persist for at least a year, Tourette’s syndrome can be diagnosed.
Tourette’s syndrome – treatment
Two methods are used to treat Tourette’s syndrome:
• pharmacotherapy – indications for such treatment are chronic tics of high intensity; the most commonly used preparations from the group of neuroleptics, calcium channel blockers,
• psychotherapy – focuses on learning to control and replace inappropriate behavior with more socially acceptable behavior.
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