The boy who thought 9/11 was his fault

Today the BPS Research Digest documents the fascinating case of a 10 year old boy with Tourette’s syndrome and obsessive compulsive traits, who believed he was responsible for the 9/11 terror attacks because he had failed to complete one of his daily rituals.

The boy described as “extremely pleasant and likeable” and with good school grades – was first referred for consultation a year before 9/11 took place. As is characteristic of people with Tourette’s syndrome, the boy displayed several forms of uncontrollable tics, including excessive blinking and vocal outbursts, and he also showed obsessive tendencies and attentional problems.