Tourette's Syndrome
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental tic disorder involving multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic during its course. Tics wax and wane and are not deliberate behaviour.
Key takeaways
- Tics are sudden repeated movements or sounds, often preceded by an urge and temporarily suppressible at the cost of discomfort.
- Assessment considers onset, duration, functional impact and coexisting ADHD, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety or learning needs.
- Treatment is based on impairment, pain or injury—not tic visibility alone—and behavioural therapy may be preferred before medicine.
Catalogue matches do not diagnose Tourette’s syndrome or indicate that a dopamine-blocking medicine is suitable.
When do tics need treatment?
Many tics need education and support rather than suppression. Treatment is considered when tics cause pain, injury, major distress or barriers at school, work or socially. Accommodation can reduce harm from attempts to suppress tics.
How do medicines fit in?
Comprehensive behavioural intervention for tics can build practical skills. Haloperidol can reduce tics but has movement, hormonal and cardiac adverse effects, so specialists often weigh other options and comorbid priorities. See mental health.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent assessment for sudden new abnormal movements with fever, confusion, weakness, seizure, medication overdose, severe injury or inability to eat or breathe safely.