Tourette's Syndrome

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Medical Author:

Norberto Alvarez, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Tourette's Syndrome Overview
• Tourette's Syndrome Causes
• Tourette's Syndrome Signs and Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Questions to Ask the Doctor
• Exams and Tests
• Tourette's Syndrome Treatment
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Non-Pharmalogical Therapies
• Surgery for Tourette's Syndrome
• Next Steps
• Follow-Up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Support Groups and Counseling
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• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Tourette's Syndrome from Healthwise

Tourette's syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric condition characterized by the presence of tics, which are usually associated with other disorders such as:

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),
• learning disorders (LD),
• sleep disorders,
• anxiety disorders, or
• mood disorders (especially rage attacks associated with bipolar disorder).

This tic disorder was first described by Georges Gilles de la Tourette in 1885.

The first signs and symptoms are seen most often around the ages of 6 to 8; however, in some cases the first signs are seen at an earlier age, and in other cases they start in adolescence.

Tourette's syndrome occurs in about 0.5% of school age children, but when chronic tic disorders are included, the prevalence increases to 2% of the general population.

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