Condition : Tics and Tourette syndrome

Tics are fast, repetitive muscle movements that result in sudden body jolts or sounds that you do not choose to make and cannot control. They can be very frustrating and make it difficult to carry out everyday activities, however, they do usually improve over time.

Tics are sometimes also referred to as an ‘urge’ as they often start with an unpleasant sensation that builds up until relieved by performing the tic. They can happen randomly, but they may also be linked with emotions or energy levels, and thinking about them tends to make them worse.

Tourette syndrome is the term used to describe tics that have lasted for more than a year.

Many people associate Tourette syndrome with swearing, but this is a rare tic.

Tics can involve making sounds (vocal or phonic tics) or movements (motor tics), and may include:

• whistling
• blinking, wrinkling the nose, or grimacing
• coughing, sniffing, grunting, or clearing your throat
• making animal sounds
• repeating a sound, word, or phrase
• rolling your eyes or blinking
• shrugging your shoulders
• jerking or twitching movements
• tensing your stomach muscles
• jumping
• clicking fingers
• touching other people or things

People who have a stammer may also develop involuntary movements when trying to speak, but these are not the same as tics, which happen when the person isn’t speaking.

• Read more about stammering

Tics are thought to be caused by differences during development in the parts of the brain that control movement, as it is quite common for them start in children at around 5 years old. The tics are most severe from around 8 years old, and then usually start to improve as they enter adulthood.

As tics can run in families, there may be a genetic cause. Tics are also linked to other conditions, such as cerebral palsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

It is rare for tics to start in adulthood. Triggers can include illegal drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines, or health conditions that affect your movement, like Huntington’s disease.

Tourettes Action

Information and support for people affected by Tourette syndrome.

• Visit Tourettes Action