Tourette syndrome

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Screening and diagnosis Complications Treatment Coping skills

Introduction

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder in which you display unusual movements or sounds over which you may have little or no control (tics). For instance, you may repeatedly blink your eyes, shrug your shoulders or jerk your head. In rare cases, you might even blurt out obscenities.

An estimated 1 percent to 2 percent of American children and adults have Tourette syndrome. Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome.

Although there's no cure, you can live a normal life span with Tourette syndrome, and many people with Tourette don't need treatment when symptoms aren't troublesome. Children often outgrow Tourette syndrome after adolescence.

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Signs and symptoms