What Makes Them Tic? The Facts about Tourette Syndrome
Tics are cornerstone of the diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome. They are sudden, brief, intermittent, repetitive movements (motor tics) or noises (vocal tics).
Medical review by Patricia Salber, MD, MBA
Key Takeaway Points about Tourette Syndrome (TS)
- Involuntary or semi-voluntary movements are the cornerstone of diagnosis
- TS is associated with a variety of psychiatric and behavioral co-morbidities, including ADHD and OCD
- There are a variety of treatments available, although some are not well tolerated
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 0.3% of children age 6–17 years in the United States have received a diagnosis of Tourette syndrome (about 148,000 children)[1], but some reviews put this number as high as 0.9%[2]. At least half of children with this condition remain undiagnosed[3], a somber fact given the potential for significant adverse psychosocial impacts from this neurodevelopmental condition. TS is poorly understood amongst both the lay and physician community, leading to both misconceptions and stigmatization of individuals suffering from this treatable disorder.
