Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition that can cause involuntary movements or sounds. Examples include blinking, moving the hands or arms, shouting, saying inappropriate words, or making sounds like barking, grunting, or sniffing.
Tourette syndrome is also considered a form of neurodivergence. This means it involves neurological, behavioral, and learning differences that fall outside what society typically labels as “normal.”
If Tourette syndrome is suspected, it’s recommended to see a neurologist, or a pediatric neurologist for children. Treatment options may include counseling, medications to manage symptoms, and, when appropriate, botulinum toxin injections.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of Tourette syndrome are:
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Involuntary body movements (motor tics): blinking, tilting the head, making facial grimaces, shrugging the shoulders, or touching the nose;
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Making sounds (vocal tics): shouting, hiccupping, clearing the throat, moaning, sniffing, or howling;
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A strong urge to make specific sounds or movements, which can cause anxiety or discomfort;
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A sense of relief after making the specific sounds or movements.
According to the CDC, tics usually begin in childhood and can involve both motor movements and vocal sounds. They can affect any part of the body, especially the face, head, or neck. The movements or sounds are typically quick and seem involuntary, can be hard to control, and may happen many times a day.
Tics often stop during sleep, may lessen when someone is drinking alcohol or is very focused on an activity, and may worsen with stress, fatigue, or anxiety, for example.
Possible causes
Tourette syndrome is believed to be linked to genetic changes that may happen randomly. However, the risk tends to be higher when other people in the family are affected, especially parents.
Confirming a diagnosis
Tourette syndrome is usually diagnosed by a neurologist or, for children, a pediatric neurologist. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, the person’s health history, and observing the pattern of movements or sounds.
In most cases, no specific test is needed to identify Tourette syndrome. Still, sometimes a doctor may request tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an electroencephalogram (EEG) to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
It’s also common for Tourette syndrome to occur alongside other conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Identifying these conditions is important.
Treatment options
Tourette syndrome is usually treated with counseling sessions, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The goal is to help the person build strategies to manage tics and cope with the anxiety or discomfort that can happen when tics occur.
In more severe cases, a doctor may recommend medications such as haloperidol, risperidone, or aripiprazole. Some antihypertensive medications, such as clonidine, and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections may also be used to help control tics related to Tourette syndrome.
In some cases, a doctor may suggest neuromodulation, especially for severe symptoms or when standard treatments have not had the desired effect.
Is there a cure?
Tourette syndrome has no cure. However, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), symptoms can often be managed with appropriate treatment, and they commonly decrease during adolescence and may sometimes go away completely.