Tourette Disorder

About Tourette Disorder

Tourette disorder, also called Tourette syndrome, is a neurodevelopmental condition involving multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic, present for more than a year and beginning before age 18. Tics are sudden, rapid, recurrent movements or sounds, such as blinking, shrugging, sniffing or throat clearing, and they often wax and wane in type and severity. Many people feel an uncomfortable urge before a tic. The condition is named after the French neurologist Georges Gilles de la Tourette, who described it in 1885. Tics usually start in early childhood and are often most severe around early adolescence, with many people experiencing improvement by adulthood. Involuntary swearing, known as coprolalia, affects only a minority. ADHD and obsessive compulsive symptoms commonly co occur. Many people need no treatment beyond education and understanding, while behavioral therapy, especially comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics, and medication can help when tics cause distress or impairment.