Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome is the formal diagnosis for the presence of motor and vocal tics that have been present for more than a year. Tics are largely involuntary and can be exacerbated by stress, anxiety, illness, poor sleep, or by calling attention to them. The average age of onset is six years old. Tics are far more common in boys than in girls by a 4:1 ratio. Tics can be simple - sudden, brief, repetitive movements that involve a limited number of muscle groups - or complex - tics that present in a pattern and involve several muscle groups. Some complex tic presentations can indicate Tourettic OCD.