Tourette syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system. People with it make unusual movements or sounds, called tics, over which they have little or no control.
Tics
Common tics include throat-clearing and blinking. A person may also repeat words or spin around; rarely, they blurt out swear words.
- Tics usually begin in childhood and may be at their worst in the early teens.
- Excitement or worry can make them worse; calm, focused activities may make them better.
- Many people eventually outgrow them.
Who gets it
The cause is unknown. Tourette syndrome is more common in boys than in girls.
Conditions that often come with it
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD);
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD);
- anxiety;
- depression.
Treatment
No treatment is needed unless the tics get in the way of everyday life. When they do, medicines and talk therapy may help.
Sources
- "Tourette Syndrome," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH). https://medlineplus.gov/tourettesyndrome.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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