Understanding Tourette Syndrome

Introduction

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological condition that causes one to have “tics,” which are habitual movements or noises that one can’t control. Tourette Syndrome is far more prevalent in children than adults, and it affects about 0.6% of children, yet it is believed that about half of these children are not diagnosed by a doctor (Tourette Association of America, n.d.-a). However, their tics often begin to fade or go away completely when reaching adulthood. 

Traits

The tics associated with Tourette Syndrome come in two different forms: vocal tics and motor tics. Vocal tics are as they sound, involving random noises or sounds that people with Tourette’s have no control over, such as barking, humming, or coughing. On the other hand, motor tics are uncontrollable movements of the body, like twitching, blinking, or jerking. Both these types of tics can be either simple or complex. Simple tics are smaller and shorter, involving only one or a few body parts, whereas complex tics can involve many different parts of the body and can be composed of multiple simple tics occurring at the same time. For example, a simple tic could be an ear twitch, while a complex tic might be an ear twitch at the same time as a yelp and a jump. In some scenarios, tics will barely affect someone, but in some cases it can affect one’s way of life (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). Additionally, Tourette Syndrome is also frequently accompanied by other conditions, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), autism, insomnia, depression, and many more. Even though tics might dissolve or diminish during adulthood, the other conditions that come along with it might stay (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2025).

Causes

The concrete cause of Tourette Syndrome is not known, but it is believed that  inheritable genetic factors likely cause it. Risk factors include a family history of either Tourette’s or any other disorder involving tics, smoking during pregnancy, or complications during pregnancy. Men are also three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette Syndrome (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

Treatments

While there is no real “cure” to Tourette’s, there are some things that can help reduce its negative impact on day to day life. For example, there are some forms of medication that can help decrease the severity of tics, the most common being antipsychotics like haloperidol, pimozide, and aripiprazole; however, medication is unable to fully absolve the tics (Tourette Association of America, n.d.-b). These medications are used to decrease the disruptiveness of tics that could cause issues in a professional or casual environment. It is important to consult a doctor on the proper medication, as everyone requires different dosage and medication. Medicine can also help other conditions that frequently come along with Tourette Syndrome, like OCD, ADHD, or depression. However, medication doesn't always work with tics and can have side effects like sleepiness or weight gain. Behavioral therapy is an alternative or additional route to take. 

There are two steps to habit reversal: awareness and response. In learning how to combat tics, it is important to know what those tics look like to implement the response. First, one would note the type of tic– for example, cracking knuckles. In the second step, one would perform an action that does not allow the motion of said tic. In the example of knuckle cracking, sitting on hands is an effective method since both activities cannot happen at the same time. Comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) implements this tactic when working with people with Tourette Syndrome. CBIT is a form of therapy to help decrease the occurrence of their tics with the help of a parent present for children struggling with the disorder (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024).

Conclusion

Tourette Syndrome is completely involuntary, and it should not affect the way someone with Tourette Syndrome is seen. In many different environments and workplaces, people with Tourette Syndrome are seen as disruptive, especially with vocal tics, therefore not receiving the same job opportunities as people without Tourette Syndrome. In addition, social media often depicts the more extreme extent of Tourette Syndrome, showing vocal tics using obscene language or funny comments. In reality, Tourette Syndrome comes in many different forms and degrees. One may have a few simple tics or have complex, even harmful, tics. Tourette Syndrome appears differently in each person, but in every situation, Tourette’s should not dictate how a person is treated.

References

About Tourette Syndrome. (2025, June 3). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/about/index.html

Pharmacology. (n.d.). Tourette Association of America. https://tourette.org/research-medical/pharmacology/

Tourette syndrome. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tourette-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350465

Tourette Syndrome. (2025, January 31). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/tourette-syndrome

Treatment of Tourette Syndrome. (2024, May). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/treatment/index.html

What is Tourette. (n.d.). Tourette Association of America. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://tourette.org/about-tourette/overview/what-is-tourette/