Coprolalia has been derived from the Greek word kopros meaning feces and is the involuntary swearing or utterance of obscene, vulgar and socially unacceptable words and derogatory remarks. It refers to the compulsive profanity ralated to Tourette’s syndrome. It is also related to copropraxia that refers to performing obscene gestures and coprographia making obscene writings or drawings.

Characteristics of Coprolalia:

The individual affected by this disorder uses words or phrases that are socially and culturally taboo in public or out of context.

Contextual swearing does not occur in this disorder and is usually expressed out of social or emotional context.

The obscenities or derogatory remarks are usually spoken in a flat tone or in a different pitch or louder voice than normal conversation.

The individual may continue to speak a single word or phrase repeating it mentally rather than saying it out along, causing a great deal of distress.

Coprolalia may be a feature of Tourette’s syndrome but it is not necessary that an individual diagnosed with the former is affected by the latter as well. In Tourette’s syndrome compulsive swearing is usually uncontrollable and undesired by the patient. The derogatory or obscene phrases or remarks uttered by the individual affected by coprophilia do not essentially reflect his/her thoughts or opinions. Coprolalia is also a rare symptom of another psychiatric disorder called Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

Treatment of Coprolalia:

Injecting botulinium toxin (botox) near the vocal cords of patients helps in treating the disorder. This, however, does not prevent the uttering of obscenities but the partial paralysis helps to control the volume of any outbursts.