Definition

  • Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by tics (rapid and sudden, recurrent, stereotyped motor movements or vocalizations that are involuntary).
  • Both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics can be present at some time during active phases of TS, not necessarily at the same time.
  • Tics can occur many times a day (usually in series) almost every day or intermittently over a period of more than one year.
  • We can observe a variation in the number, frequency, type, localization and intensity of tics.
  • Symptoms appear before age 18.
  • Tics are not caused by a substance (stimulant) or other medical condition.
  • The number, localization, frequency and severity of tics can change over time.

 

  • Vocal tics are noises, words or sounds.
  • Speaking obscenities can be found in less than 10% of people with TS.

  • Tics may diminish during adolescence and adulthood and disappear completely in certain cases.
  • Even when remission is complete, certain tics can reappear during stressful periods.

Associated symptoms

  • Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Anxiety
  • Sleep disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD
  • Intermittent explosive disorder
  • Etc

Gender ratio

  • TS would affect three times as many boys as girls

Prevalance