Tourette's Syndrome

Phobias Slideshow

• 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
• For More Information
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Tourette's Syndrome Overview

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.