Tourette syndrome
Symptoms
Tics — sudden, brief, intermittent movements or sounds — are the hallmark sign of Tourette syndrome. They can range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms might significantly interfere with communication, daily functioning and quality of life.
Tics are classified as:
- Simple tics. These sudden, brief and repetitive tics involve a limited number of muscle groups.
- Complex tics. These distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involve several muscle groups.
Tics can also involve movement (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics). Motor tics usually begin before vocal tics do. But the spectrum of tics that people experience is diverse.
| Simple tics | Complex tics |
|---|---|
| Eye blinking | Touching or smelling objects |
| Head jerking | Repeating observed movements |
| Shoulder shrugging | Stepping in a certain pattern |
| Eye darting | Obscene gesturing |
| Nose twitching | Bending or twisting |
| Mouth movements | Hopping |
| Simple tics | Complex tics |
|---|---|
| Grunting | Repeating one's own words or phrases |
| Coughing | Repeating others' words or phrases |
| Throat clearing | Using vulgar, obscene or swear words |
| Barking |
In addition, tics can:
- Vary in type, frequency and severity
- Worsen if you're ill, stressed, anxious, tired or excited
- Occur during sleep
- Change over time
- Worsen in the early teenage years and improve during the transition into adulthood
Before the onset of motor or vocal tics, you'll likely experience an uncomfortable bodily sensation (premonitory urge) such as an itch, a tingle or tension. Expression of the tic brings relief. With great effort, some people with Tourette syndrome can temporarily stop or hold back a tic.
When to see a doctor
See your child's pediatrician if you notice your child displaying involuntary movements or sounds.
Not all tics indicate Tourette syndrome. Many children develop tics that go away on their own after a few weeks or months. But whenever a child shows unusual behavior, it's important to identify the cause and rule out serious health problems.
